Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

Unprecedented Youth Violence Forum. I was proud to take part in a Seattle Channel, CityClub and Town Hall sponsored Youth Violence Forum on Tuesday, November 10. C.R. Douglas, Seattle Channel’s public affairs host, moderated the lively panel discussion which included youth who have been impacted by violence first-hand. A short video was shown where I interviewed youth in the community who were very close to the issue of violence on the streets. “I was joined by Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI) Director Mariko Lockhart, Police Assistant Chief Jim Pugel, Urban League SYVPI Program Coordinator Jamila Taylor, Royal Alley-Barnes, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Cleveland High School students Maraunjanique “Mook” Smallwood and Janisha “Boug” Sparks, a member of the Seattle Police Department gang unit, and Tony McCane, a former boxer, gang member and now community activist.”

Our City’s 2009-2010 budget allocated $8 million of the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative to end the killings and assaults among juveniles, ages 12 to 17. Last year about this time, 5 youth were killed in Seattle. This year, that number is reduced to 0, aside from the tragic killing of 18 year-old Aaron Sullivan.

You can view the Youth Violence Forum at http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3380902.

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At a recent Energy and Technology Committee meeting, I asked Seattle Youth Employment Program participants Tracelyn Moore, Hodan Dahir Hassan, Karen Wong, and Vincent Nguyen, to join the discussion at the Energy and Technology Committee at Council Chambers. We acknowledged each young man and woman for participating in the internship program at the City’s Legislative Department. Click here to view the Energy and Technology Committee meeting and the introductions of Tracelyn, Hodan, Karen, and Vincent. [http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=2080916]

Each intern was provided opportunities to explore a variety of work experiences – they learned new office skills, communication skills, computer skills, office etiquette and social skills. Tracelyn, Hodan, Karen, and Vincent learned invaluable life lessons that come with working and earning a paycheck.

Each intern sat around the community table in the Council Chamber and spoke candidly about their accomplishments and aspirations:

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“Reinvesting in Youth” as an organization headed by former elected official Jim Street, has mobilized communities for the purpose of addressing our schools’ dropout issue. Its work has been informative and groundbreaking. Educators and administrators alike agree that schools need the support from the larger community in meeting the challenges faced by struggling students.

The 2007 Legislature established the Building Bridges Workgroup under 2SHB 1573. The Workgroup built a set of recommendations in their December 1, 2008, report to the Legislature and focused on important steps on how to address the dropout issue. Their recommendations were heavily influenced by the “systems” approach utilized by Reinvesting in Youth.

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On July 7, I attended the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Summit at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club/Rainier Valley Teen Center. Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund and a nationally recognized advocate for disadvantaged Americans, delivered the keynote address. Edelman’s address helped kick off a day of group discussions and speeches. Edelman stated that, “We’ve got to break up this cradle-to-prison pipeline.” She went on to say mental-health treatment cannot be overlooked and that dealing with health issues at a young age is more cost-effective in the long run, saving society future financial burdens. “We can’t afford not to do it,” she said.

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Seattle’s youth make well-informed career and life choices

On the morning of April 18th, 2009, I was honored to give the keynote address to almost 100 youth at the 19th Annual Youth and Law Forum, held at the First AME Church, Seattle. I have been involved in the Forum since it first began in 1990. This year’s theme, Law and Order, focused on teaching young people how to better understand the judicial and law enforcement fields from the very people who serve in them, as well as educate youth on court procedures and their legal rights and responsibilities.

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My news release today announcing the 19th Annual Youth and Law Forum on Saturday, April 18, 2009.

Effort Intended to Empower Seattle’s High School and Elementary Students to Make Well-Informed Career and Life Choices

SEATTLE—City Councilmember Bruce Harrell announced today that as many as 300 youth will participate in the 19th Annual Youth and Law Forum, to be held on Saturday, April 18th, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the First AME Church, Seattle. Councilmember Harrell has participated in the Forum since it began in 1990. This year’s theme, “Law and Order”, will focus on teaching young people how to better understand the judicial and law enforcement fields from the very people who serve in them, as well as educate youth on court procedures and their legal rights and responsibilities.

“This city-wide Forum provides youth an excellent opportunity to build their confidence and to make well-informed decisions about their career path and life choices,” said Harrell. “It can be a first step in positioning Seattle’s youth for today’s challenging and diverse job market.”
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