This year promises to be bigger and will have at least one new program, “The Prize”. A young person in need of resources to pursue higher education is just the beginning of the “The Prize” opportunity. Ed Deeb says participating students will be matched to intern programs, mentored all the way through college and assisted with finding a job upon graduation.  (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

Prayer Breakfast to kick-off 32nd Annual Metro Detroit youth Day

● Event Will Be held April 22 at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Detroit

DETROIT, MI - The 18th annual spiritual prayer breakfast which kicks off the intensive planning stages of the upcoming 32nd annual historic Metro Detroit Youth Day (MDYD) which draws more than 30,000 area youth will be held April 22, 2014 at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit. Metro Detroit Youth Day itself will be held July 9th on Belle Isle’s athletic field. The event emphasizes the need for education, mentorships, guidance, and the need for future leadership from our youth.

The breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22nd at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church located at 18700 Couzens Freeway, Detroit, MI.

“The theme this year will emphasize the need for greater safety for our kids by stopping crime and bullying, and more emphasis on ways to reduce obesity and how to become an entrepreneur and own your own business”, said Ed Deeb, co-founder and chairman of the Youth Day event, and founder of Michigan Food and Beverage Association. (MFBA). “The kids are our future. Now more than ever the community needs to rally around them to save their lives and prepare them for the future. We also want to build a spiritual net around them to help our youth build our communities and become future leaders.

“Most importantly, we want to keep our kids in school and keep them in Michigan after graduation from college!, “ Deeb added. “We must come together now more than ever to protect, respect, educate and support our young people.”

In keeping with the theme “to inspire our youth to do the most good in school and Community. Planting Seeds for our Youth to Grow.” The breakfast will feature various entertainment performed by area youth groups. Noted clergy and other leaders from the Detroit area will be on hand to provide additional inspirational messages for our youth who attend Metro Youth Day.

Several community groups and corporate sponsors will be honored for their participation in and support of this colorful annual event at the breakfast. The keynote address will be given by Robert Thornton of The Skillman Foundation.

Dignitaries invited to participate include area elected officials, clergy, and community leaders.

“When we started Metro Youth Day 32 years ago it was to instill peace in the community following altercations,” said Deeb. “It is truly a success story about people and organizations working together for harmonious relationships and a better community. We must continue to work together to also protect our youth and inspire them to do the most good.”

Theme for the 2014 Metro Detroit Youth Day: “Planting Seeds for our Youth to Grow.”

Co-chairing the Prayer Breakfast this year is Keith Bennett of Goodwill Industries and Laydell Harper of The New Monitor.

For more information, contact the Metro Youth Day office at (586) 393-8801