County Holds Youth Resource Fair for Middle and High Schoolers

The Community Engagement Task Group (CETG) will hold its first Youth Resource Fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Valerie C. Woodard Center Auditorium, 3205 Freedom Drive. A full and exciting program is planned with more than 20 organizations that will provide resources in mental wellness, leadership and mentoring, financial literacy and more. A wide array of provider participants, including programs funded through the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, grassroot organizations, and County departments (the Office of Violence Prevention, Community Support Services, and Park and Recreation), will be present to speak to the services that they provide, as well as hear from youth about the needs of their communities. 

“This is an opportunity for youth to come together, learn, network, and really understand how they can help impact their community,” said Sonya L. Harper, Criminal Justice Services director. “Young people want to learn more about how they can serve their community and we want to help them. We also understand that we need to meet them where they are, so we will make this a fun event with music, prizes and food. This Youth Resource Fair is an opportunity to bring together the interested youth, their parents and caregivers, as well as the community leaders who can answer questions, give guidance and information all in the same space.”

CETG develops programs and policies, and advocates for change, to improve Mecklenburg County’s criminal justice system and public safety. CETG members are the community liaisons for the Criminal Justice Advisory Group and have been meeting with neighborhood groups for community conversations throughout the year. The engagements with Mecklenburg County residents amplified the need to know more about available resources for youth as well as pathways to grow future leaders.