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Left: Sarasota’s Sheriff Knight and Jason Swift of Jon Swift Construction work to set poles for Camp XRAY-D
Builders Exchange take a moment to rest from
the heat.
Great turnout of volunteers provides extra hands for the rebuild of the
obstacle course for Camp
XRAY-D.
GULF COAST BUILDERS EXCHANGE BUILDS A 2nd CHANCE FOR AREA YOUTH
Gulf Coast Builders ExchangeBoard Chairman Jeff Charlotte & Executive Director Mary Dougherty-Slapp coordinated GCBX members on August 8th at Knight Trail Park to build a new obstacle course at Knight Trail Park. Helping the GCBX members was Sheriff Tom Knight and members of Boy Scout Troop 50. This community service project will benefit area youth that have been referred to Sarasota County’s Teen Court. Many of the youth, ages 10-17, are charged with the possession of illegal substances or have tested positive during their initial assessment in the Teen Court office. To reduce further crime among that most at-risk population, a sanction was developed to provide these at-risk youth a hands-on opportunity to learn both the negative impact that bad choices have on their lives and their families.
Each year more than 125 youth are required to complete 18 hours of services that will include Camp-XRAYD-Examining Reality About Your Decisions. The Police Athletic League of Sarasota County (PAL) coordinates deputies from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office who conduct a 12-hour day that consists of physical activities emphasizing the advantages of personal fitness, teamwork and good decision-making. Also incorporated into the reality based experience are tours of the morgue, emergency room and jail to demonstrate the results of drug overdoses, DUI accidents, and the harsh realities of incarceration. Following the 12-hour day, Teen Court requires the youth and their families complete substance abuse education classes, provide six months of case management which includes random drug testing and school attendance checks. Failure to complete the six-month sanction results in referral into the juvenile justice system. Successful completion will give the juvenile offenders a 2nd chance due to their charge being dismissed.
A ribbon cutting celebrating the GCBX Community Service Project and dedication of the new course took place at Knight Trail Park, 9 am, September 10. Among the dignitaries attending were Sarasota County Commissioners Shannon Staub and Jon Thaxton and Sheriff Tom Knight.
Teen Court of Sarasota County awards annual scholarships
Teen Court of Sarasota Inc. awards $10,000 in scholarships at its annual volunteer recognition ceremony.
The scholarships, which ranged in value from $500 to $1,200, were awarded to 11 outstanding students for their community service contributions.
These awards represent more than 1,000 hours of community service the students gave as volunteers with Teen Court.
The program is an innovative concept in juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention in which student volunteers, during a sentencing hearing supervised by volunteer adult judges and attorneys, serve as peer mentors to at-risk youth by participating as defense or prosecution counselors, clerks or bailiffs in the courtroom process.
The scholarships, made possible by proceeds from the organization's annual Jack Byers Memorial Golf Classic, sponsored by FCCI Insurance Group and Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, were awarded Aug. 5 during a presentation at the Silvertooth Judicial Center.
Recipients and the institution they will attend this fall are: Konrad Coutinho, Yale University; Vincent Dale, Florida State University; Vera Higgs, Washington & Lee University; Thuy-My Le, Johns Hopkins University; Kimberly Johnson, Santa Fe Community College; Michael Leber, State College of Florida-Sarasota; Christian McClaren, Wesleyan University; Hanna Perry, Georgetown University; Katie Reasor, University of Florida; and Alex Rigsby, University of South Florida. Sean Squire, who began volunteering as an eighth-grade student, received a $1,200 scholarship and will attend Florida State.
Dinner at Michael's On East followed.
Stefan Campagna was honored as the recipient of a memorial scholarship honoring Dennis Wood, an Indiana attorney who came to Sarasota seeking care for a terminal illness.
Despite the fact that he was in considerable pain and knew death was imminent, Wood came to the courthouse each week right up until he died to help the students with their case presentations.
Campagna, who was referred to Teen Court in 2003, returned as a volunteer after graduating from college, sharing his story.
As a result of his Teen Court experience, Campagna decided to pursue a career in law and has entered Hofstra University's College of Law on a full tuition scholarship.
Further information about becoming a volunteer or how to make a charitable contribution to the program can be obtained by calling the Teen Court office at 861-8460.
