Carolyn DiPaoloLove, Hope and Healing, a West Palm Beach nonprofit, wants to mold young minds.
Police chiefs, a judge and returning citizens will reach out to young people this week to share their experience and advice.
Why it matters: The “Stop Throwing Rocks at the Chain Gang” Youth Summit in West Palm Beach is a new event designed to prevent crime by educating and empowering young people.
- It’s counterprogramming to the popular culture of negativity and violence.
What’s happening: Teens, young adults and their families are invited to hear from speakers including Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael Coleman, West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo and Circuit Court Judge Bradley Harper.
Backstory: The summit is organized by Donte and Yolanda Bates of West Palm Beach.
- They are founders of the nonprofit Love, Hope and Healing.
- The organization is devoted to wellness, mental health and healthy behavior.
What’s this about a chain gang? In the metaphor “Stop throwing rocks at the chain gang,” rocks are crimes and the chain gang is prison.
- The message is to avoid choices that lead to incarceration.
Details: The free summit will be 10 am to 4 pm Saturday, May 3, at Gaines Park.More information and registration is here.
I am a co-founder, writer and editor for Stet News. I am also a former senior editor at The Palm Beach Post. For 20 years, I oversaw some of the most consequential stories published by the paper, including the “Corruption County” reporting project that led to multiple arrests of elected officials. I am a member of the Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2013. I live in West Palm Beach with my husband, Bill DiPaolo.
