The first-ever youth conference hosted by La Rose Noire Foundation was held last September 13, 2019, in cooperation with various social welfare agencies (SWAs) in and outside of Pampanga.

The activity aims to provide opportunities for youth to develop their skills, knowledge and attitudes to take on leadership roles on social welfare services and to promote a better understanding of youth services learning and greater awareness of global social services issues among youth. It also aims to facilitate a forum for the exchange of ideas, concepts, projects, and reflections that address issues on drug prevention, environmental protection, understanding autism, and children’s rights.

To open the program, emceed by Mr. Ronnel Golimlim of Widus Foundation and Christa Jensine Sagcal of LRN Foundation, the kids of Ima’s Home for Children presented a doxology following Ptr. Eduardo Hesite’s invocation. The welcoming remarks were facilitated by the Foundation’s own Executive Director, Mr. Gerald V. Legaspi. Ms. Priscilla Teopengco of the Department of Social Welfare and Development delivered the Keynote Message to the attendees as well as an overview of the general status of the youth in Region III.

Invited guest speakers included Ms. Gillian Gee Mission of Ako ang Saklay Foundation whose talk focused on School-Based Program on Drug Prevention, Ms. Mary Grace Canda of Lost Coin Foundation and Ms. Sheenie E. Hesite of Ima’s Home for Children whose joint talk focused on the Convention of the Rights of a Child, Atty. Vivian Dabu of Kapampnagan Manlakaran, Inc. (KAMAI) who focused on Environmental Awareness and lastly, Ms. Maria Joyla Ofrecia from Autism Society Philippines who discussed Autism OK Philippines.

An open forum was held after the free market of ideas wherein the guest speakers answered questions from the youth regarding their respective topics.

To end the program, a web solidarity and commitment statement activity was facilitated wherein each organization pledged its commitment to aid and support the youth according to their own mission and vision.

The conference was attended by 177 youth representatives from various schools and organizations in Central Luzon.