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I'm sensing a greater -- and overdue -- urgency among Roanokers to reach young people in the community.

Total Action Against Poverty is working on ways to delve into the difficulties confronting boys and teens.

FEDUP -- Families Expecting Deliverance Using Prayer -- held its annual candlelight vigil Saturday to keep the spotlight on alleviating youth violence.

The Rev. Bill Lee of Loudon Avenue Christian Church recently challenged men in his church to become mentors.

"Taking Back the City," a multichurch revival, got under way Monday night in Melrose Park in an effort to help young people avoid the pitfalls of violence, drugs, teen sex and other social ills.

The encouraging effort continues later this week with a youth conference for seventh- through 12th-graders. Several community agencies planned the three-day conference under the auspices of the city of Roanoke.

The conference is called VOYCE 2008 -- Valuing Our Youth through Community Engagement. It begins Thursday with a cookout and dance for youths at the Hotel Roanoke.

On Friday, teens will take part in sessions on topics as varied as attitude, team-building, communicating, leadership, and the dangers of drinking and driving.

Well-known Roanoke educator and coach George Miller will talk to youths about exploring who they are. Anyone who has witnessed Miller speak to young people knows how he commands their attention with his "keep-it-real" tone.

The purpose of the conference is for young people to "look at things that can impact their lives," said Marion Vaughn-Howard, the city's superintendent for youth services.

"The city of Roanoke really values its young people, and we are trying to do everything -- from our school district support to our youth programs in the parks and recreation department," she said. "We are really stepping up to the plate to keep all young people involved and informed."

Vaughn-Howard said the event will also feature simultaneous sessions for adults.

Separating the adults will allow youths to feel more comfortable and speak more freely with one another under the guidance of an adult moderator, she said.

With the peril that many of today's youths face, the local attention to young people is a welcome effort.

Today, they contend with a lot of issues we didn't have to confront such as the explosion of drugs, violence and negative media images. So anything anybody can do to help them feel valued is worth pursuing.

This week's youth conference grew out of a workshop two years ago at the Roanoke Civic Center. Roanoke officials brought together agencies with a desire to give youths a sense of belonging and purpose.

Since then, members of the city's Youth Commission along with adults in other sectors of the community have visited other cities to see how they work with youths, Vaughn-Howard said.

The Night of Champions, a recognition event for youths, also developed out of the civic center meeting. The program recognizes any city youth who has achieved success in a variety of sectors. The first year, the event drew about 300 people.

Last year, the event drew nearly 800 who stood and applauded for young people who had earned academic, community service and other successes.

Vaughn-Howard said that after seeing successful conferences in other cities, Roanoke officials decided to have a youth conference. But rather than city staff planning it, officials went to groups that had been at the civic center two years ago and asked them to plan it.

Registration is $75. Thanks to private donations, money is available to youths who want to attend but are unable to pay the fee.

The conference committee included representatives from the schools, libraries, juvenile justice system, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Valley Metro, High Street Baptist Church, Lutheran Family Services and Blue Ridge Behavioral Health.

The panel members developed workshops about a large variety of issues they encounter in their work with youths.

Young people will attend different sessions all day Friday. Later that evening, they will devise ways adults can better involve youths on many issues, including the local dropout rate and changing how people perceive youths.

The concluding session will take place Saturday morning. Vaughn-Howard said about 100 youths have registered.

Traditionally, young people were seen and not heard. They have a lot to say.

And we need to start listening.

VOYCE (Valuing Our Youth through Community Engagement)
When: Thursday through Saturday
Where: The Hotel Roanoke
To register, call 853-2236