DCH Attends 2012 SADD National Conference

Over 100 DCH Auto Group team members and students from DCH-sponsored SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapters will join nearly 400 youth leaders and their adult advisors at the 2012 SADD National Conference. Taking place June 24 – 27 at the Torrance Marriott South Bay in Torrance, Calif., the Conference empowers young people to lead initiatives in their schools and communities that will encourage prevention education and create a positive effect on the lives of their peers. 

Since beginning in 1981, SADD has provided quality prevention education programming to its nearly 10,000 chapters nationwide. This year's conference sponsors include the California Office of Traffic Safety (Presenting Sponsor), Toyota, Cars.com, The National Road Safety Foundation, the FDA/Center for Tobacco Products and DCH Auto Group. The exhibit hall will feature 20 of the leading government, for profit, and nonprofit organizations working in the field of youth health and safety.

This year's conference theme, "The Prevention League: Discover Your Power," was selected by the SADD National Student Leadership Council (SLC), a group of prominent student leaders from across the country. Through more than 40 dynamic workshops, motivational speakers, skill-building activities and shared storytelling, attendees will learn how to deal with critical issues facing teens today, including driving and traffic safety; building self-confidence; Internet safety; bullying and cyber bullying; underage drinking prevention; tobacco use prevention; healthy teen dating/relationships; teen pregnancy awareness; social host laws; the power of partnerships and more. The curriculum aims to help teens recognize their own power to rise above negative influences, while networking opportunities allow them to learn from other student leaders about ways to best promote healthy and positive life choices among their peers. 

"Empowering young people and equipping them with the tools to inspire positive change are at the heart of the SADD National Conference," said Penny Wells, SADD president & CEO. "It's truly encouraging to see firsthand the dedication from chapter leaders and know that beyond the conference, thousands of young people will be changed for the better."

With motor vehicle crashes remaining the leading cause of death among teens, the importance of educating young drivers about the dangers of risky, aggressive, and distracted driving will be highlighted.

In conjunction with the DCH Auto Group, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. will sponsor an interactive "Getting to Know You" activity that will allow attendees to network and exchange ideas with their peers. A simulated demonstration will also show teens the risks associated with distractions behind the wheel.

Prior to the conference, the DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundationand team members from DCH Auto Group dealerships will hold a youth leadership-training workshop with students from DCH-sponsored SADD chapters.  DCH dealerships in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and California provide these student-lead SADD chapters both financial support and support of its employees.  The goal is to help these schools develop successful and sustainable chapters, and to raise awareness about important behavioral decisions when behind the wheel of a car.

DCH Auto Group is the exclusive automotive dealer sponsor of SADD in New Jersey, southern New York, Fairfield, Connecticut, and southern California.

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