The annual Youth at Risk conference is an inspirational and educational day of workshops, networking and sharing for people serving and caring for youth.

About YAR

The Youth at Risk Conference was established by Rev. Mike Duda and the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) in 2000. It was developed in response to the need for collaboration and coordination among the many providers of health services to at-risk youth in and around Essex County.

For the past 12 years, Youth At Risk has worked to advance greater sharing and collaboration among youth services providers, provide training workshops on many youth services, and to increase awareness of existing resources.

The conference is an incredible opportunity to tap the wealth of expertise in Essex County around the topic of youth at risk. It continues to be a one-of-a-kind and most anticipated annual event.

Who Should Attend

The YAR Conference is geared primarily towards individuals in Essex County working with and caring for youth in a number of settings – family, community, school, religious, healthcare, human service, recreational, etc. Attendees include:  

• Social workers
• Psychologists
• Youth counselors
• Teachers
• School adjustment counselors
• Guidance counselors
• Community and public health workers
• Program managers
• Agency and organization CEOs
• Volunteers
  

Day of Conference

The day includes continental breakfast, morning and afternoon breakout workshop periods on over 20 different topics, lunch, keynote speakers and peer networking. Credentialing is offered.  

Diruhi Mattian Memorial Award

In memory of Diruhi Mattian, a social worker who was tragically killed in 2008, the YAR conference committee honors a special person each year who has made an outstanding contribution to the work of caring for and supporting at risk youth. Learn more.

Exhibiting