Brothers and Sisters of NELA give students a voice

Brothers and Sisters are hosting its 6th Annual Civic Engagement Institute for youth this week.

It allows students from different backgrounds

and life experiences to come together, and talk about issues

ranging from social media, teen suicide...to interaction with law enforcement.

The organization says this not only teaches students how

to communicate and work as a team, but also, how to see eye to eye

with someone who doesn't share the same life experience or values.

It gives them the tools they need to interact with people in the real world and teaches them how to create positive change.

"This is an opportunity from students to learn how to do something about it and how to go from 'I don't like it,'to 'let's something about it," says Jacquiela Dorsey, director of Brothers and Sister of Northeast Louisiana.

Dorsey says students will present a proposal to a panel of community leaders on Thursday to talk about how they can move forward with them and create effective change.

The conference starts Wednesday, April 19th at 4pm and runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday.

It's being held in the Ouachita Jackson room at the Monroe Civic Center.

It's free of charge and meals will be provided.

Visit bbbsnela.org to register. Registration closes Wednesday, April 19th at 10 p.m.