MCC Daily Tribune

Liberty Partnerships Program Attends Annual Youth Summit in Albany

Liberty Partnerships Program at Monroe Community College visited the nineteenth statewide Empire Promise Youth Summit: Don’t Just Survive, Thrive! in Albany, NY. (4/26-4-28)

The event brought together 51 programs, 200 students, a host of Liberty Partnerships alumni, and key stakeholders from across NYS in an effort to strengthen workforce strategies and further the LPP mission to graduate students fully prepared for college, work and life.

This year’s Empire Promise Youth Summit encouraged students to engage in play while challenging them to step outside of their comfort zones.  Separated into tribes and placed with people they didn’t know, they competed in challenges to see which tribe will outwit, outplay and outlast.

Each workshop tackled the soft skills lost during the pandemic, and that workforce leaders are looking for. Diminishing skill sets such as problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, adaptability and creativity, and leadership.

The event wasn’t all work. Many opportunities to mingle with new friends, open mic night, a motivational speech from Shawn Prez, exploring the College of St. Rose, and dancing the night away with a luau dance! Don’t Survive, Thrive was a huge success! This special event was engaging and challenged LPP’s young people to step out of their comfort zones and into greatness. Congratulations to Orange OG for being the sole survivor!

Courtney Ophardt
Liberty Partnerships
05/12/2023