PASCO, WA – The registration deadline for the 16th annual Tri-Cities Youth and Justice Forum is just two weeks away. Students across Southeast Washington are invited to attend the Youth and Justice Forum, taking place Friday, November 1st at Columbia Basin College. The deadline for schools to register is October 18th.
The annual Youth and Justice Forum is a full-day event that teaches middle and high school students about the many professions and resources that make up our justice system. The principal goal of the Forum is to create opportunities for racial and ethnic diversity in the justice system in order to match the people it serves.
This year’s theme is “Be the Change You Want to See.” Students will learn about the justice system and career opportunities within it, as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens. They will also have the chance to participate in interactive lessons with attorneys, judges and other justice system professionals.
ESD 123 Student Support Services Director, Dana Camarena, looks forward to co-hosting this event each year.
"The annual Youth and Justice Forum is a valuable event for our department in many ways," says Camarena, "especially because the students who attend gain such a deeper understanding of our justice system. It's also a great opportunity to inspire youth to pursue a future career in the justice system."
The forum will be held on November 1st from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM at Columbia Basin College. The event is free for all 8-12th grade students. Schools interested in participating should contact Anna Ramirez, ESD 123 Student Support Services Assistant, at amirez@esd123.org">aramirez@esd123.org or 509.544.5766. Student applications and parent permission forms are due by October 18th.
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The Tri-Cities Youth and Justice Forum is sponsored by the Washington State Minority & Justice Commission, Educational Service District 123, Columbia Basin Community College, Mendoza Law Office, Karen Koehmstedt Attorney at Law, Allen Brecke Law Office, Morfin Law Firm, SuperMex El Pueblo Market, Battelle Memorial, Roach & Bihop LLP, Chvatal King Family Law Firm and University of Washington School of Law.
KENNEWICK, WA – Educational Service District 123 (ESD 123) and the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council (BFWDC) invite the community to the grand opening celebration of the TC Futures Center beginning at 11 AM tomorrow, September 27th, at 6917 W. Grandridge Blvd Suite C-110 in Kennewick.
TC Futures is a re-engagement center for local youth and young adults ages 16-24. Thanks to the collaborative venture between ESD123 and BFWDC, those served will find a welcoming environment where they can work on finishing their education and connect with incredible employment opportunities. TC Futures offers GED completion, career counseling, employment opportunities, on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships, and other employment related services.
Please join us on Friday, September 27 at 11 AM for the grand opening of TC Futures. For more information, contact TC Futures Center Director Mark Wheaton at 537-1706.
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KENNEWICK, WA – September is Suicide Awareness Month, and the Benton Franklin Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition (BFYSPC) is pleased to host the 11th Annual “Walk About to Talk About Suicide Prevention” walk on Saturday, September 28. Registration begins at 10:30 AM in the parking lot of Outback Steakhouse on Canal Drive in Kennewick. The annual walk is free and open to all who wish to participate in raising awareness about suicide prevention and remembering those we have lost.
The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey (2018) shows that 23% of 10th graders thought about attempting suicide. It is the second leading cause of death for Washington teens 15-19 years old.
Help is immediately available by calling or texting the following:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255)
- LGBT at (866) 4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)
- Local Crisis line at 509-783-0500
- Text “Heal” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741
Community members are encouraged to participate in the 11th Annual Walk About event to raise suicide prevention awareness and remember those we’ve lost. At the event, the first 100 participants will receive a free breakfast burrito. For more information, contact Cameron Fordmeir at on.Fordmeir@lourdesonline.org">Cameron.Fordmeir@lourdesonline.org or 509.783.0500.
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The Benton/Franklin Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition is a local group consisting of concerned citizens, mental health professionals, clergy, educators and social workers who meet the first Wednesday of each month at 9:15AM at the United Way Bldg. Our Mission: To promote awareness and understanding that suicide is a preventable health problem and to encourage our community to TALK ABOUT IT.
KENNEWICK, WA – A collaborative venture between Educational Service District 123 (ESD 123) and the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council (BFWDC) has resulted in a new re-engagement center for local youth and young adults. We are proud to announce the grand opening of the TC Futures Center.
Both agencies are longtime service providers dedicated to connecting youth and young adults with access to resources and opportunities in order to find success as they transition out of the school system. Now, thanks to this new partnership, youth and young adults ages 16-24 will find a welcoming environment where they can work on finishing their education and connect with incredible employment opportunities. TC Futures offers GED completion, career counseling, employment opportunities, on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships, and other employment related services.
The community is invited to attend the grand opening celebration of the TC Futures Center at 11 AM on Friday, September 27th, at 6917 W. Grandridge Blvd Suite C-110 in Kennewick, WA.
“Opening our doors is just the beginning," says Tiffany Scott, BFWDC CEO. "We have codified our partnership with ESD123 and stood up TC Futures as an important access point to re-engage youth and young adults into education and employment. Together we will continue to grow with community stakeholders and offer young adults a brighter future by obtaining the skills they need to make a livable wage.”
Both ESD 123 and BFWDC look forward to the grand opening event beginning at 11 AM on September 27. For more information on the grand opening event or to RSVP, contact the BFWDC Office Manager Becky Smith at 734-5996, or TC Futures Center Director Mark Wheaton at 537-1706.
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BFWDC is based in Kennewick, WA and has been designated by the Governor as a local workforce area for Benton and Franklin counties, based on population, size, prior education, training performance, and fiscal integrity. The BFWDC is responsible for coordinating the local workforce development programs, coordinating local employment and training activities, establishing a youth committee, negotiating local performance standards, and developing a local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan. For more information about BFWDC, please visit www.bentonfranklinwdc.com.
ESD 123 is based in Pasco, WA, and is one of nine ESDs in Washington. Dedicated to delivering collaborative solutions that promote learning, ESD 123 serves 23 school districts in seven counties of Southeastern Washington. Under Superintendent Darcy Weisner and its board of directors, this legislatively mandated, not-for-profit educational organization provides efficiency of educational systems and equity of learning opportunities for over 70,000 Washington students. For more information about ESD 123, please visit www.esd123.org.