TEEN SUMMIT 2026
Rights. Justice. Action.
Protecting Ourselves. Protecting Each Other. Leading Change.
A one-day leadership and empowerment experience for high school girls across Northern New Jersey.
📅 Friday, June 5, 2026
📍 Hosted at William Paterson University
🕣 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
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ABOUT THE SUMMIT
The Teen Summit 2026 is a trauma-informed, one-day leadership experience designed to support high school girls in strengthening their voice, understanding personal and relational safety, and developing the confidence to lead within their schools and communities.
Grounded in the global theme Rights. Justice. Action., this summit guides girls through a powerful pathway:
Protection → Awareness → Leadership → Action
This is not just a conference.
It is a space where girls learn how to protect themselves, support one another, and take meaningful action back in their schools.
WHY THIS SUMMIT MATTERS
Girls in our communities are navigating:
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Peer conflict and social pressure
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Dating violence and unhealthy relationships
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Online harm and exploitation
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Sexual coercion and silence
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Missing and exploited girls in our region
Many of these conversations are not happening openly — and when they are, they often feel isolating or overwhelming.
The Teen Summit creates a structured, developmentally appropriate space for girls to learn safely, ask questions, and connect to support — without pressure to disclose personal experiences.
WHAT STUDENTS EXPERIENCE
Mixed-School Protection Labs
Girls choose one prevention-focused workshop designed to build awareness and safety skills in a supportive, non-triggering environment.
College Women Mentorship
Students engage in guided conversations with collegiate women who share lived experience, wisdom, and encouragement.
School-Based Action Labs
Girls reunite with their school groups to create a Girls’ Action Plan they can implement when they return to campus.
Every student leaves with:
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Clear language around boundaries and safety
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Knowledge of local resources
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A leadership mindset
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A tangible action plan
Protection Labs
Students select one of the following:
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Protecting My PeacePeer conflict, social harm, and online safety.
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Protecting My HeartDating violence, unhealthy relationships, and boundaries.
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Protecting My BodyConsent, bodily autonomy, and sexual harm prevention.
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Protecting Our GirlsTrafficking awareness, grooming prevention, and missing girls.All sessions are trauma-informed and do not require personal disclosure.
Teen Summit 2026 is proudly hosted at:
William Paterson University
HOST INSTITUTION
Hosting the summit at a four-year university allows students to:
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Experience a college campus environment
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Engage with collegiate mentors
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Envision themselves in higher education
