On Friday, October 5th, the Department of Community Justice (DCJ) hosted the 2nd annual African American Program (AAP) Awards Banquet at the Miracles club in NE Portland. The evening celebrated former and current AAP clients who are succeeding in the program. Parole and Probation Officers Javelin Hardy and Nate Roberts coordinated the event with the support of clients who volunteered their assistance.
The inspirational keynote speaker of the evening was Dr. Andraé Brown, Assistant Professor at the Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Dr. Brown’s work focuses on supportive structures and the resilience of families and communities to address trauma, violence, and substance abuse. Commissioner Smith, Multnomah County commissioner for District 2, attended the event and took time to personally greet and congratulate participants.
District Manager Erika Preuitt also joined the event and noted how special it was to see how “the African American Program has developed leaders who are now giving back to their own communities.” For more information about the African American Program, please contact Kate Desmond, Community Justice Manager, 503.988.4999