The Fairmont Healthy Youth Committee and the Martin County Youth Intervention and Prevention Programs hosted a SPARK (Supporting and Promoting Assets to Reach Kids) Youth Summit on September, 17, 2008, in Fairmont, MN. This first-ever Youth Summit was attended by over one hundred adults and students grades 7-12. 
Fairmont was selected as one of only ten communities across the state to host a youth summit. Funding sources included the MN Department of Education, the MN Alliance with Youth, Search Institute, the University of MN Extension and State Farm.
One event objective was for youth to have a strong voice in the summit. Approximately fifty youth participated in the event and several youth served on the event design team, designed the event t-shirt, secured door prizes, and led the day as the emcees.
Another event objective was to involve key policy makers. The adults participating were city council members, school board members, county commissioners, and legislative officials. Law enforcement, criminal justice, education, health, mental health, business, youth organizations, early childhood development, ministerial, recreation, and media also were represented.
Presentations from motivational SPARK speakers were followed by three rounds of small group discussions targeting the Five Promises, Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others. Ideas generated were then posted and all participates were asked to vote on their top two priority areas for the community.
Summit reports were given to all participants and presentations were made to policy makers, service organizations, and community leaders with the goal that these ideas will be kept in mind as new policies and projects are addressed in the future. One policy maker loved the event so much he suggested that it be repeated with a countywide approach. Plans are underway to make that happen.
Submitted by Lori Higgins, Healthy Youth Coordinator
Fall 2008
