Youth Summit — More than 250 young people, ages 16-24, received expert insight and motivation for finding success in the workplace at the fifth annual Westchester-Putnam Youth Summit, held March 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The Youth Summit, presented by The Business Council of Westchester, Westchester County, Putnam County and the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board, featured a full day of interactive activities and workshops aimed at providing attendees with employment skills and advice. The theme of the event was “R.E.A.D.I, AIM, HIRE,” introducing Westchester County’s Workplace Attributes Initiative. 
Sponsored by the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board, the initiative provides training to prepare young adults for success in their first job. Some of the topics covered by the program include essential communication skills, workplace behavior and problem solving.
“No matter what comes your way – especially things that are painful or disappointing – don’t run from them, deal with them,” Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino told the attendees. “Meet those challenges head on, because you’ll learn from them, and you’ll be a much better person. What you’ll learn today could spark you to do something more or better for your career or idea.”
Among the highlights of the Youth Summit was the keynote address by Activate Movement Founder and President Lucinda Cross, who delivered a stirring message of hope and inspiration. Ms. Cross discussed the importance of positive influences and perseverance in her transformation from federal prisoner to motivational speaker and best-selling author.
“Sometimes, we don’t take advantage of the opportunities we have in front of us because we’re full of insecurities and low self-esteem and lack confidence,” said Ms. Cross, who was 18 and a freshman in college when she made a life-altering decision that landed her in a federal penitentiary for 4½ years. “Be careful with the choices you make. Ask yourself, ‘Who am I connecting with who can take me to the next level?’ Because if they’re not helping you grow, they’ve got to go.”
Other highlights included a team-building exercise facilitated by Monique Peretti of the LEGOLAND Discovery Center and a Shark Tank Team Competition. For the Shark Tank Team Competition, attendees were divided into teams and instructed to read a case study about a job-seeker facing a challenge. Each team was required to develop a strategy and “real world” advice to solve the problem. The teams were then given 20 minutes to devise three-minute pitches, which they presented to a panel of judges. Participants were judged on presentation quality, creativity, relevance and originality.
“The Youth Summit is vital for us as a business organization because the attendees are our future workers,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester. “The job skills passed on through this program are invaluable, and we’re grateful to have the support of Westchester County, Putnam County, the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board and our sponsors.”
Sponsors for the event were Berkeley College, Montefiore Health System, Legoland Discovery Center and C.W. Brown, a division of LeChase.
