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Community Chronicles

March 2019 Issue 3

Message from our Executive Director

Spring Forward in Women's History Month

We celebrate March as Women’s History Month, commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. We salute all women, past and present, that have and continue to be change agents. You are our mothers, sisters, daughters, mentors and leaders and we are so much better, because of you. Next week, we hope that you will join us at the Tampa Bay History Center as the City of Tampa honors local trailblazing women at the 23rd Annual Women's History Month Celebration where Senator Arthenia Joyner will serve as keynote speaker.

Spring is almost here! And with this time comes routine “Spring Cleaning". As we look at the things that need to be removed, repositioned, painted, and freshened up in and around our homes, we must also look at those things in our community that need to be refreshed, added or in some cases removed from our communities.

We need to continue to work on removing the toxins of racism, bullying, and stigma that have the ability to lead to community violence. We need to add more quality programming designed to bring people together, and we need to continue to reposition our youth for success through mentoring and advancing education. At Safe & Sound Hillsborough, we are working hard with our community partners to address all of these and much more!

Finally, Elections are upon us in the City of Tampa. No matter who you support, just remember to exercise your right to vote. If we want to see change, we have to be a part of the changing process!

Yours for a better community,

Freddy

Working together to build strong families, safe schools and healthy neighborhoods.

Image Credit: Detail of . . . [Mural: Women of the Wiregrass, 126 N. St. Andrews Street, Dothan, Alabama] (Library of Congress)

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

When: Saturday, May 4, 2019

Theme: Educate. Engage. Empower!

Where: Middleton High School

Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

SafeSummit'19 Conference

Registration Now Open

Where did the time go? In in less than 60 days the 3rd Annual Violence Prevention Conference - SafeSummit'19 will be here and registration for the conference is now open!

We are still seeking volunteers and submissions for our scholarships and Kevin Becker Community Builder Award. To get involved and learn about all things SafeSummit'19 please visit www.SafeSummit19.com.

MBK Rising - Arrive As Many, Rise As One!

What an impactful summit! Freddy along with hundreds of mentors, community leaders, public officials and youth traveled to the great city of Oakland, California for the Obama Foundation 's inaugural MBK Rising! , a conference for My Brother’s Keeper City Leads and young men of color. While there, he was able to connect with several leaders from New York, California, Pennsylvania, Georgia and more to learn about their work addressing the needs of young men while helping them to reach their dreams. From workshops, think tank sessions, small brain dates , networking opportunities and listening to President Barack Obama share his vision for My Brother’s Keeper alongside celebrities such as Stephen Curry, Michael B. Jordan, Susan L. Taylor, Ledisi and more, it proved to be a unique and powerful experience.

Freddy was fortunate to present about what we do at Safe & Sound Hillsborough and was proud to hear that our work is something to be admired and replicated! From New York to California, cities and organizations are inviting us to share all our efforts and teach other communities how to bring stakeholders together, create inter-local agreements, and come up with unique programming to help our youth. And at the same time, we are looking to bring some of the best experts in the field, high school students across the country, to come share with us some amazing things they have been able to accomplish by banding together to address policy issues!

With so many people there from so many cities, connecting and collaborating may have seemed a bit overwhelming. However, with our hearts and minds focused on improving the lives of our young men of color, we truly lived the vision of the conference . . . Arrive as Many, Rise as One!

Girls Night Out a Huge Success

Click image to view video.

Our Night Out events bring youth and community mentors together in a safe space to hang out with an array of activities that encourage bonding, increase social skills and are plenty of fun.

Our first Girls Night Out at Kings Forest was a huge success! There were over 50 girls and 30 mentors that participated. We cannot THANK the women of Beta Kappa Sigma Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. enough for hosting the event. They raised the bar in making it fun, interactive, thought-provoking and impactful for our girls. A sincere thank you to Attorney Cordel Batchelor from the T hirteenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender's O ffice for bringing greeting on behalf of The Honorable Julianne Holt .

For more information, to host a Girls Night Out, or to register contact us at 813.461.0816 or email info@safeandsoundhillsborough.org.

Welcome Lisa Fikes!

We are happy to welcome Lisa Fikes to our Safe & Sound Hillsborough Family. She recently joined the CDC of Tampa as the Youth Success Center Senior Manager and S&SH Coordinator. We look forward to working with her to implement and sustain various programs for residents and youth in East Tampa.

Calendar of Events

March 6

Diversity Adversity Council | 6:00 PM | Frederick B. Karl County Center

March 11

Finance Committee Budget Workshop | 3:30 PM | Children's Board

March 12

Faith & Wellness Planning Committee | 2:00 PM | Children's Board
Family Health & Well-being Committee | 3:00 PM | Children's Board

March 15

SafeSummit'19 VPC Planning Meeting | 3:00 PM | Middleton High School Media Ctr

March 26

Leadership Council Meeting | 1:00 PM | Children's Board

March 29

Girl's Night Out | 6:00 PM | Kings Forest Recreation Center

All meetings are open to the public and are held at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County unless otherwise noted. For more information on how to get involved, contact our office at info@safeandsoundhillsborough.org.