Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 5-17-19

Features
Summer Leadership Camp For Teens Planned
‘A Second Wish’ Granted To Chicago Youth
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
A Second Wish by Demetrius is granting “A Sec- ond Wish” to Lanayah Aldridge, a 16-year-old teen from Chicago.
Lanayah arrived in Or- lando on Sunday and will be treated with a week of Disney activities, starting with Sea World on Monday, Aquatica Water Park on Tuesday; Uni- versal Studios and Island of Adventure, Wednesday and Thursday; and Friday will be spent catching up on a few details as the family leaves Friday afternoon for Chicago.
Lanayah has a gamut of ailments that she and her family are dealing with – many of which have devel- oped from Sickle Cell Ane- mia.
According to her mother, Lorinda Aldridge, the home-schooled teen suffered her first stroke at the age of 8, second brain surgery in 2018, a surgery last week, and she’s preparing for surgery in June. But this week they’re in Florida
Lanayah and her mother are accompanied by: her grandmother, Lonetta, brother, Armani, sister, LaDasiah and cousin, Mar- chon.
Because “A Second Wish” is nationally known, the or- ganization was contacted by Lanayah’s social worker seeking a second wish on her behalf.
Ms. Angela Small,
founder, says: “A Second Wish By Demetrius, Inc., was founded in 2008 in memory of my nephew, Demetrius, with a goal of providing sec- ond wishes to children with life threatening illnesses and giving scholarships.”
Demetrius was diag- nosed at the age of 2 1/2 with an Ependymoma brain tumor. An Ependymoma brain tumor is a malignant primary brain tumor. The doctors gave Demetrius a slim chance on survival. Treatment for this ailment is very complex.
Demetrius died at age 12 with his second wish unful- filled.
Several events are held throughout the year to gain funds to grant “A Second Wish.”
It is the goal of A Second Wish By Demetrius Inc. to keep his memory alive and strong in the community by granting second wishes, con- tinuing the Annual D’Light Run, and by the sale of his book.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Hillsborough County teenagers can regis- ter for a Summer Leadership Camp. The camp is designed for youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17.
The CDC of Tampa will host two meetings for registration for the free Summer Leadership Camp. The meet- ings will be held at the King’s Forest Recreation Center, 8008 E. Chelsea from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Thurs- day, May 16th and Thursday, May 23rd.
The program will begin on June 3 and end July 31. The hours are from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Parents or legal guardians are invited to at- tend an orientation and application process to secure a place for his or her child.
Youngsters attending the camp will enjoy field trips, learn about community service, leadership and life skills, team building, en- trepreneurship, gang and violence prevention, and attend health and wellness workshops.
They will also learn about financial liter- acy, performing and visual arts, employability skills, effective communication, combating bullying, self-esteem and awareness and ca- reer or college readiness.
Ernest Coney, Jr., President and CEO of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., said, “The future of our community is in the hands of our youth. Providing tools for them to be successful, re- sponsible adults is the goal of the Summer Leadership Program.
ERNEST CONEY, JR. President, CEO of the CDC of Tampa, Inc.
“Kids grow up faster and faster in this age of technology, where social media can make or break a reputation, or guide a child in the right or wrong direction. We are here to help them set a framework for making decisions in their own best interest.”
The program is made possible by the fi- nancial support of the City of Tampa, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Safe and Sound Hillsborough, Leadership Tampa Class of 2018 and NeighborWorks Florida Collaborative.
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A