Nearly 50 providers of services for youth and juvenile offenders set up their tables and displays Wednesday at the Duval County Courthouse for the third annual Juvenile Justice and Youth Services Fair.
The project’s inspiration came when Circuit Judge Suzanne Bass was assigned to juvenile court. She soon became aware of the many organizations in the private sector as well as city and state agencies that exist to help young defendants navigate their way out of the justice system and into more productive lives.
Bass also became aware that many people — including some of the 4th Judicial Circuit’s juvenile justice probation officers — weren’t aware of the range of services and options available for young offenders and their families.
“I was surprised the groups didn’t know about each other,” she said.
The fair is “a way to connect them so they can get their heads together and serve the kids better,” Bass added.
In addition to service providers, she invites parents, teachers and community leaders to attend the event, meet representatives of the organizations and leave with literature and personal contacts.
She said the vendors sent out invitations and this year, the mayor’s office helped publicize the fair.
Many of the organizations have been participating since the event was launched, including 100 Black Men of Jacksonville Inc.
Established in 1991, it’s the local affiliate of 100 Black Men of America and provides volunteer mentoring opportunities focused on health, wellness, education and economic and leadership development.
Stephen Kennedy, secretary of the organization, said leaders and role models from all walks of life are paired with black youth ages 8 to 18 and “our motto is ‘what they see is what they’ll be.’”
The group has about 30 members, including attorney Octavius Holliday, immediate past president of the D.W. Perkins Bar Association.
“We are actively recruiting,” Kennedy said.
Bass said the evolution of the fair could be headed for cyberspace. She’s discussing with the city’s Jacksonville Journey program the possibility of creating software or a website that would connect parents and children who could benefit from the help available with the organizations that are looking for clients.
The events also might get a new place on the calendar. Bass said last year, people were recovering from Hurricane Matthew on the day of the event and this year, the fair was the week after Hurricane Irma.
“I think next year, we might have it in the spring,” she said.