Limited space is still available for the free Close-Up© on Youth Violence program scheduled for Tuesday, April 5 from 8 a.m. – noon at St. George Family Center, 3204 Ridgewood Rd., Akron. The program is part of the 29th Annual “Child & Family Awareness Month©” celebration coordinated throughout Summit County during the month of April by Summit County Children Services. Close-Up is sponsored by Summit County Juvenile Court, the Summit County Medical Alliance and Summit County Children Services.
This year’s Close-Up on Youth Violence will focus on taking a deeper look into how youth violence affects individuals and families and examine local and national trends plus innovative court programs. Common stereotypes and realities of youth behavior will be addressed as well as those that impede professionals from being able to provide the interventions needed. Representatives from our local Juvenile Court and Health Department will also provide updates on how the effects of youth violence are being addressed in our community. Representatives from the Ohio Attorney General’s office, local law enforcement, and Sandy Hook Promise will present as well. In addition, more than 30 local agencies and organizations will participate in a Resource Fair.
(PLEASE NOTE: As a special added feature, on Monday, April 4, from 5:30-8 p.m., an investigative documentary about juvenile justice in America entitled “Prison Kids” will be shown at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Downtown Akron – followed by a panel discussion with community leaders. This showing is FREE and advance registration is not required).
Advance registration is required for the April 5 Close-Up on Youth Violence program – please register online at EventBrite by April 1. For more information, please contact Summit County Children Services at (330) 379-2090 or log onto summitkids.org.
About Child & Family Awareness Month . . .
“A Family is an Apple that’s Great to the Core” is the theme of this year’s Child & Family Awareness Month celebration being held throughout April. The month features a series of family-fun activities and educational events planned by more than 150 local agencies, organizations, places of worship, businesses and individuals dedicated to building a solid foundation of community support for children and families and helping raise awareness of child abuse prevention. For more information on the month’s activities, please call Summit County Children Services, the coordinating agency for Child & Family Awareness Month, at (330) 379-2090, log onto summitkids.org, or check out the special Child & Family Awareness Month Facebook page.