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First Lady Laura Bush addresses conference attendees.

Turning to the issue of America's youth, Mrs. Bush observed:

The challenges facing young people are far greater today than they were for children just a generation ago. Drugs and gangs, predators on the Internet, violence on television and in real life are just some of the negative influences present everywhere. And as children face these dangers, they often have fewer people to turn to for help. More children are raised in single-parent families, most often without a father. Millions of children have one or both parents in prison. Many boys and girls spend more time alone or with their peers than they do with any member of their family.

Mrs. Bush emphasized the particular challenges faced by Native American youth, noting that in St. Paul, "Native Americans have the largest absenteeism rate in [the] public schools, and dropout rates are high." However, she continued:

St. Paul's American Indian leaders are determined to overcome these challenges… . Over the last two decades, [a] community coalition has worked to address the full range of problems facing Native American youth. Young people can now find shelter at the Ain Dah Yung Center. Struggling students receive after-school tutoring through the Department of Indian Work. The First Nation Sports Initiative at the American Indian Family Center—and the community powwows at the American Indian Magnet School—provide children with recreation and fellowship. [And, t]he St. Paul Public Schools offer college planning through their Indian Education Program.

The First Lady recommended use of the Community Guide to Helping America's Youth, an online resource that helps community leaders form effective partnerships, assess resources, and find proven programs that support youth. At the conference, more than 150 community partners and coalition members took part in training on the Community Guide.

Community partners also joined local, State, regional, and Federal leaders for a speaker series and expert panel presentations on the current status of youth and successful methods for helping make a difference in the lives of America's youth. Panel sessions addressed such topics as "Connecting With Boys" and "Connecting With Tribal Youth."

For additional information on the HAY Initiative and the conference (including the full text of the First Lady's remarks, Webcasts of the proceedings, and slides from presentations), visit the HAY Web site at www.helpingamericasyouth.gov, click on "Conferences," and select the St. Paul regional conference.