Essay submission DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL THURSDAY, APRIL 7 followed by forum & recognition program on May 1

The city of Southfield, in partnership with the Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup Village and Metro Detroit Youth Clubs, will present a Teen Mental Wellness Community Forum on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs Field Zone located on the Southfield Municipal Campus at 26000 Evergreen Road in the lower level of the underground parking garage.

As a part of the forum, the Optimist Club is sponsoring a high school student essay contest with the topic “Why is making time for the things that I am passionate about good for my mental wellness.” The essay contest is open to all Southfield and Lathrup Village high school students under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2022 who are not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution. There is no minimum age to enter. Additional application details and contest rules can be found online at www.southfield-lathrupvillageoptimists.org/youth-programs. Entries should be emailed to slvoptimist@gmail.com by Thursday, April 7, 2022 (deadline extended from March 31). The first place winner will receive $500; second place will receive $200; and third place will receive $100.

The Teen Mental Wellness Community Forum will feature a conversation with City of Lathrup Village Mayor Mykale (Kelly) Garrett and Angela Moore (video), the Junior Optimist International (JOI) 2020 Convention Keynote Speaker. Essays will be read by Orator Jolyna Chiangong (video), a University High School Academy Graduate Class of 2017, First Place 2017 Oratorical Contest Winner Club Level, and First Place 2017 Oratorical Area IV Contest Winner. Inspired from the student essay submissions, Legacy Dance Studio of Southfield, LLC will also perform an artistic expression of the things teens are passionate about.

Numerous mental healthcare professionals and other exhibitors will be present, including Assma Khatib, Seema Shlebah, and Mona Makki from the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Patrice Lee, author/speaker and chief bully/suicide prevention advocate from the metro Detroit area, and IT Figures, LLC, an organization that inspires and empowers youth by utilizing action figures and sharing stories of influential minorities.

The Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup Village is made up of local volunteers and community leaders and has serviced the communities of Southfield and Lathrup Village since May 8, 1979. With the motto “Friend of Youth” and a vision to provide hope and positive vision to bring out the best in the community, particularly local youth, the Club promotes special programs and activities throughout the year.

Founded in 1958, the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs serves over 2,200 Club members in locations throughout metro Detroit and is dedicated to empowering youth to reach their full potential through safe, accessible, and inclusive experiences that open doors to a bright future. In 2011, the Southfield community partnered with Metro Detroit Youth Clubs and established the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs Field Zone, creating safe and enriching experiences for youth grades 6 through 12 in the Southfield community.

For more information, contact the Southfield-Lathrup Village Optimist Club President Cherryl Thames at (248) 506-5118, email at slvoptimist@gmail.com, or visit www.southfield-lathrupvillageoptimists.org.