The message is simple.

And teens are the target audience.

Yakima’s Davis High School is hosting a conference for young people. And it’s not too late to sign up. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The “Youth Summit 2008” event takes place Saturday, Sept. 27, beginning with check-in at 11 a.m. Yakima Mayor Dave Edler is slated to give the welcome address at noon, along with Ben Soria, the superintendent of the Yakima School District.

The featured Speaker is the Rev. Greg J. Boyle, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries, which helps at-risk and formerly gang-involved youth become contributing members of society through job placement, training and education. He’ll talk about “Jobs not Jails.”

The afternoon includes “Working Circles” sessions in English and Spanish. The conference is slated to end at 6 p.m.

Sponsored by Davis High School, the Catholic Diocese of Yakima, and Barrios Unidos, the conference is designed especially for youth. But parents, educators, school counselors, youth activists and caseworkers, health providers, and members of law enforcement are also invited.

The conference takes place at Davis High School, 212 S. 6th Ave. in Yakima. The cost is $50 per person.

For more information, contact Virginia Santillanes at virgies@charter.net. Or check out www.youthsummit509.com.