JWB Hosts 2025 OST Conference: Teaming Up 4 Youth

Sep 24, 2025

On Saturday, September 20, JWB proudly hosted the 6th Annual Out-of-School-Time (OST) Conference, with the theme “Teaming Up 4 Youth!” It was a high-energy, inspirational day for the 325-plus dedicated attendees from JWB-funded OST, literacy, and Neighborhood Family Center programs. The conference had a joyful pep rally feeling  while also providing valuable professional and personal development tools.  

DJ Corey Thornton kept the energy high throughout the day with fun tunes, and there was plenty of delicious food between speakers and during lunch. The day centered around three incredible keynote speakers — Gaelin Elmore, Barb Clark, and Chase Mielke — who delivered deeply personal and powerful messages that reminded everyone in the room of the profound impact the OST staff has on youth.   

JWB COO Karen Boggess shared these takeaways:  

  1. “When a young person least deserves your love is when they need it the most.” 
    Our consistency, empathy, and presence can make all the difference—even when it goes unspoken. Sometimes, it’s the quietest moments that mean the most. 
  1. “Belonging is everything.” 
    Every young person—like every adult—craves connection and inclusion. We may never fully understand what they’re carrying, but we can create spaces where they feel seen, heard, and safe. 
  1. “If you’ve told a child a thousand times and they still haven’t learned, it’s not the child who’s the slow learner.” 
    These words challenge us to shift our lens, deepen our understanding, and collaborate more intentionally. Meeting youth where they are—and working together to support them—requires both humility and heart. 

Thanks to the exceptional leadership of the OST Conference Planning Committee, JWB staff volunteers, and provider partners, the planning, preparation, and passion that went into every detail were evident—and deeply appreciated. Overall, the event was a massive success for JWB and the hard-working out-of-school-time staff who do so much for students in Pinellas County throughout the year! 

Check out more photos from the event on Facebook.