FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy Launches Youth Ambassadors Program in Partnership with the Atlanta Police Department
Atlanta, GA – November 11, 2024 – The Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of its new Youth Ambassadors Program, created in collaboration with the Atlanta Police Department (APD). This pioneering initiative aims to extend the voices of Atlanta’s youth, promoting constructive dialogue and meaningful engagement between young people and key stakeholders within the city’s police force.
As part of the Youth Ambassadors Program, selected high school students from the Turner Foundation’s mentorship program will serve as advocates for their peers, bringing forward their ideas, concerns, and perspectives on community safety, youth-police relations, and social justice. The initiative will foster open communication with law enforcement leaders and officers from the APD to build trust, mutual understanding, and community resilience.
“Our Youth Ambassadors Program is designed to empower young people in our community by giving them a seat at the table with the Atlanta Police Department,” said Sunshine Hodges, Chief Marketing Officer of the Turner Foundation. “By creating this direct line of communication, we hope to cultivate stronger relationships and enhance the youth’s role in shaping solutions to the challenges they face in their neighborhoods.”
The program will focus on:
- Youth Advocacy and Leadership Development: Training young ambassadors to become effective communicators and leaders within their communities.
- Community Engagement Initiatives: Developing collaborative projects between youth and police to address local issues.
- Dialogue and Education: Hosting forums and workshops that promote mutual understanding between the youth and law enforcement on topics such as safety, justice, and community service.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “It’s essential that we listen to and work alongside the young people of our city. The Turner Foundation’s Youth Ambassadors Program gives us a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the next generation of leaders and address concerns in ways that build trust and cooperation.”
The Youth Ambassadors Program will kick off with an orientation and leadership training in December 2024, followed by a series of structured meetings between the ambassadors and APD leadership. These sessions will provide a platform for youth to voice their concerns, offer solutions, and actively participate in shaping policies that impact their lives and their communities.
For more information about the Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy and its programs, please visit https://joincommunityadvocacy.org/ or contact:
Media Contact:
Sunshine Hodges
Chief Marketing Officer
Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy, Inc.
Phone: (404) 664-5716
Email: info@joincommunityadvocacy.org
or
Email: Marketing@joincommunityadvocacy.org
About the Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy, Inc.
The Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities through mentorship, education, and advocacy. Its programs focus on fostering leadership, promoting academic success, and providing opportunities for young people to thrive.
About the Atlanta Police Department
The Atlanta Police Department is committed to building safe communities by working in partnership with the people it serves. Through transparency, accountability, and community engagement, the APD seeks to protect the lives and rights of Atlanta’s citizens.