Gang-related, first-time male offenders and youths considered high risk for gang affiliation recently attended the “Where Do We Go From Here” Teen Summit in Powder Springs.
The summit was organized by Safe Place Atlanta, a charitable child advocacy organization open to all races, nationalities and cultures that creates programs to inspire and educate adolescent boys who come from challenging backgrounds, according to a Cobb County Juvenile Court statement.
Parents of the teens also were invited to attend a simultaneous session led by Everlasting Vessels Inc., a startup nonprofit (501C3) organization, providing low-income single parents with self-development and business planning by conducting advisement, workshops and spiritual guidance.
These parents were educated on the importance of staying involved in their children’s school and social activities, while teens were able to interact and be mentored by successful men from the community.
Professional volunteers - like Cobb Juvenile Court Judge Wayne Grannis - spent time teaching the boys how to properly tie a tie - a skill that, once attained, brought smiles and feelings of accomplishment to young men’s faces.
“Being involved in an event like this allows youths to see there are people and organizations who care about and are invested in them,” Grannis said.
To this summit, Cobb Juvenile Probation Officer Ana Pinto referred three boys whose older brothers are being supervised for gang-related offenses in Cobb County.
“Participating in these types of events allows the boys to see life differently and offers them tools to avoid following in the same path as their older siblings,” Pinto said.
Cobb Juvenile Probation Supervisor Sharon Mashburn said there are 150 youths assigned to the Gang Suppression Program, a division of Cobb Juvenile Court that deals with juveniles at high risk for gang involvement, associates of gangs and current, active gang members.
“Cobb Juvenile Court is invested in our youths. By participating in this event, we are able to show these kids we care about them and truly want them to succeed,” Mashburn said.
Information: Safe Place Atlanta CEO/Founder Helen Riley at Helen@SafePlaceGa.org, Amanda.Marshall@CobbCounty.org
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