Columbia to Host National Youth Violence Prevention Week Activities
March 8, 2018
In recognition of National Youth Violence Prevention Week, the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department and the Columbia Police Department have partnered to host two events to bring the community together in the fight against youth violence.
National Youth Violence Prevention Week, which will be held March 19- 23, 2018, was created to raise awareness and educate students, teachers, school administrators and staff, school resource officers, parents and the public about effective ways to prevent and reduce youth violence.
The following events are free and open to the public:
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
City of Columbia’s Human Trafficking Forum
6 p.m. | Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way
Join us for a candid discussion about human trafficking. Panelists from local and state agencies will discuss what is human trafficking, the signs and victims of human trafficking, and what you can do to help prevent it. Panelists include Richland County Councilman Jim Manning; Chandra Cleveland-Jennings of ITS ON ME 2; Columbia Police Officer Michael Bailey; and Kaneshia Greene, Human Trafficking and Immigration Initiative Program Coordinator for the SC Commission for Minority Affairs.
Thursday, March 22, 2018
“Each One, Reach One” Community Outreach Event
5:30 p.m. | Playground area at The Colony Apartments (Bailey Street)
Columbia Parks & Recreation staff and officers with the Columbia Police Department will host a free community outreach event to engage youth in positive interactions with law enforcement. There will be speakers on bullying and gang violence, exhibitors and refreshments. Agencies and organizations will be on hand to provide information on a variety of programs, resources, activities and events that will assist youth in making better life choices.
Youth, adults, parents, mentors and youth leaders are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 803-545-3100.
