NATCHEZ — The Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. will come together in Natchez to host the 23rd annual Lookin’ to the Future conference today through Friday.

This year’s theme is Tomorrow’s Promise.

“The goal of the conference is to equip, motivate and reenergize participants,” Conference Coordinator Rachel Rudd said. “The children and youth we serve come to us afraid to trust due to the abuse and neglect they’ve experienced and due to the fact that individuals, agencies and communities have let them down again and again, and for them, there is no promise for a better tomorrow.”

Forty-nine workshops with varying focuses and natures are set up for the weekend, and participants can map out their own schedules.

“Some (workshops) will feature role playing and some will have panels and things of that spirit,” Rudd said.

Workshop sessions include topics such as clinical updates on psychiatric medicines for children and adolescents, social networking and the bullying it can bring, as well as sessions regarding drug use.

Walter Tipton, the Natchez Convention Center’s general manager, said not only does the convention teach valuable lessons, it also helps Natchez’s economy.

For example, he said, restaurants should prepare for an influx of patrons from the conference, because there are a number of meals not provided through the event. Rudd said the total attendees should be approximately 500.

“We enjoy coming back to Natchez,” Rudd said. “It’s our 5th year in a row. We always appreciate the Natchez hospitality.”

Funds for the event were generated through a collaboration of public and private agencies in Mississippi, such as the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Mississippi Children’s Home Services and Mississippi Families as Allies, among numerous others, Rudd said.

The registration fee for general attendees is$140; and $75 fee for adoptive foster families. The fee was factored in to the conference’s cost, she said.

This year’s Lookin’ to the Future Award goes to Rankin County Judge Thomas H. Broome, which will be presented by Attorney General Jim Hood Sunday afternoon.

“Judge Broome is being awarded for his dedicated service on behalf of children and youths, his leadership in juvenile justice reform, legislation advocacy and improvement in the quality of life of all dependent children,” Rudd said.

Putting the conference together takes a great team effort, she said.

“The people we’ve known for the past 23 years (of the conference) are a joy to be around,” Rudd said. “They’re like family to us.”

Correction:

This article has been revised with following corrections: The Lookin’ to the Future begins today and will continue through Friday. It is the conference’s fifth year in Natchez. According to conference coordinator Rachel Rudd approximately 500 people will attend the event. The registration fee for general attendees was $140; and $75 fee for adoptive foster families. The Lookin’ to the Future award will be presented  to Rankin County Judge Thomas H. Broome.