By Gregory Horta
Staff Reporter

Three hundred Bronx youths pledged to "Keep It Real" at the Bronx Youth Conference at Hostos Community College on Dec. 15.

The Bronx Borough Based Council, a collaboration of organizations, agencies, institutions and systems that work in partnership with families to nurture and strengthen the community environment, made the event possible.

The purpose of the conference was to inform youths, parents and professionals about the programs, activities and clubs that are currently available to young people in the Bronx.

The conference included workshops on gangs, violence, conflict resolution, sexual health, drugs and alcohol, depression screenings, stress reduction, legal education, leadership and the working world.

Alphonso Sealey, a peer youth trainer for Families Reaching In Every New Direction said the conference was scheduled for October, but due to the Sept. 11 tragedy, it was postponed until December. He also stated that it was originally planned for just the Mott Haven youth community, but because of the tragedy it was expanded to include other communities in the Bronx.

Dolores Tibbets of the Mental Health Association of New York City, Inc. said her organization helped with the event, "because we deal with emotional and behavioral problems that the youth are experiencing more due to the tragedy, which deal with depression and suicide."

Pointing out that he as well as others are positive factors in the lives of youths, guest speaker Joseph Scantlebury, the executive director of Strive, said. "You've got to give back."

WAR, a performance by New York University's Creative Arts Team, was performed to address prejudice, tolerance, language, communication, violence and identity. After the performance, the actors led a discussion in which the youths expressed their views.

Afternoon workshops included "The World of Work," hosted by the YES Commission, "Peer Pressure," hosted by Adolescent and Family Comprehensive Services, and "Let's Talk about Sex" hosted by Adolescent Aids Program of Children's Hospital at Montefiore.

The event closed with the Entertainment and Youth Awards. Organizers said they were thankful for everyone who helped to make it a successful event. She lost her voice during the conference, but Anabella Escobar, the Bronx Borough coordinator received a big, loud "thank-you" from the youths who came from the Highbridge Community Life Center organizers and the Citizens Advice Bureau Higher Visions youth program as they left Hostos.