Here's a quick update from us.

Working together to build strong families, safe schools, and healthy neighborhoods.

December, 2019

COMMUNITY CHRONICLES

The holiday season is a special time of year when we celebrate family, friends, and community while giving back and helping others less fortunate. We are appreciative of our friends and partners that continue to help us in our efforts to build strong families, safe schools, and healthy neighborhoods. As we continue to grow and implement new programs that prevent violence and help to keep Hillsborough County safe, we want you to know that we are grateful for your continued support and dedication. We look forward to a better and brighter year in 2020!

Happy Holidays

from our Safe & Sound Hillsborough family to yours!

Giving Thanks

During the Thanksgiving Holiday, we spent time in fellowship with our Hillsborough West Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) family. The Detention Advisory Board, chaired by Executive Director Freddy Barton, hosted a pre-Thanksgiving appreciation luncheon for the JDC staff. We took a moment to give thanks, had a great time serving delicious food, including a fried turkey, mouth watering desserts and enjoyed a day filled with hearty laughter.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Thanks to our Family, Health, & Well-being committee and a grant funded by Simply Health Care Foundation , Safe & Sound Hillsborough now offers free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in partnership with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay , Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office , and various community organizations. Instructors are certified through the National Council for Behavioral Health ‘s Mental Health First Aid public education program that helps individuals across the community to understand mental illnesses, support timely intervention and save lives. Learn More

SAFE & SOUND YOGA

Free Yoga in the Park

Join us on select Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. for a relaxing time of FREE yoga in the park for all levels and ages at Kings Forest and Sandy Perrone Parks & Community Centers. Learn More

COMMUNITY SPACE

Reserve Today!

Safe & Sound Hillsborough operates both the Sandy Perrone and Kings Forest Parks & Community Centers. In addition to providing programs, events, and activities to Hillsborough County residents year-round, the community spaces are available for public rental. Learn More

Youth Mock Trial with Tampa Bay Buccaneers & Farnell Middle School a Huge Success

Pictured: Farnell Middle School 8th Grade Students; Mrs. Kimberly LeGree-Hymes, Teacher; Brandon Selph, Asstistant Public Defender; Freddy Barton, Executive Director, Safe & Sound Hillsborough; Brian Bell, Executive Director, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation & Glazer Family Foundation; Dr. Tim Binder, Principal, Farnell Middle School

Safe & Sound Hillsborough (S&SH) joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a proud partner of their 2019-2020 Social Justice Initiative focused on reducing barriers of opportunity in areas of: police relations, criminal justice reform, racial equality, workforce development, and youth empowerment.

In October 2019, the Buccaneers hosted Safe & Sound Hillsborough's Youth Mock Trial with Farnell Middle School's eight grade students and teacher Mrs. Kimberly LeGree-Hymes.

Organized by the S&SH Youth and Gun Violence Committee under the leadership of Dr. Kathleen Heide, University of South Florida Professor of Criminology, students met for several weeks with attorneys from the offices of the Public Defender and the State Attorney in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to prep for the mock trial.

The mock trial was held at the George Edgecomb Courthouse where students and Bucs players took on a realistic court case involving gun violence, acting out the various roles associated with a trial. Utilizing a trauma-informed approach, a scenario unfolded about the consequences of being involved in a gun crime, both directly and indirectly.

Special thanks to Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Ronald Ficarrotta for hosting the mock trial and Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas for serving as the mentor for the judge, played by Buccaneer guard, Earl Watford.

Check out the mock trial video by clicking the image below!

Learn More

2020 Detention Center Youth Survey

In early 2018, Safe & Sound Hillsborough partnered with the Public Defender’s Office to conduct a survey of youth in the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC). This was done for three main reasons: to gauge youths’ self-awareness and perceptions surrounding behavior that resulted in their arrest, to assess the conditions and services within the juvenile detention center, and to determine the home and community environment of each youth.

A report of the results was distributed to S&SH Agencies, community partners and the Department of Juvenile Justice to present findings and suggestions for reducing recidivism. Of those suggestions, two have already been implemented: a workforce training initiative for released youth and the Detention Center Advisory Board, focusing on improving the quality of services inside the facility for both youth and staff.

In 2020, Safe & Sound Hillsborough will work with PACE Center for Girls to conduct a second survey to identify changes in perception and to hear from the youth as to what more is needed to help them to not return. S&SH is looking for partners in our efforts. For more information or to volunteer, contact info@safeandsoundhillsborough.org or 813.327.8317.

SafeSummit'20

Violence Prevention Conference

This year, Safe & Sound Hillsborough is excited to announce that Howard W. Blake High School will host the 4th Annual SafeSummit'20 Violence Prevention conference to be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020!

We are seeking high school students to join the conference planning committee and earn community service hours. Youth input and participation in the conference is invaluable to it's success.

The annual one-day conference brings together residents, employers, law enforcement officers, and community partners to discuss solutions to reduce violence. With an emphasis on educating and empowering our community, the day is filled with a series of interactive workshops and activities focused on violence prevention strategies, mental health, social activism, employment, financial literacy, and more. The conference also includes a youth town hall, scholarship presentation and a Community Builder Awards ceremony.

To volunteer or recommend a youth, contact info@safeandsoundhillsborough.org or 813.327.8317.

The SafeSummit'20 Planning Committee meetings are currently held at the Children's Board on the 3rd Friday of the month at 3 p.m.

Upcoming Events

December 10

S&SH Family, Health & Well-being Committee Meeting | 3:00pm | Children's Board

December 17

S&SH Leadership Council Meeting | 1pm | Children's Board

December 20

R.I.C.H. House Holiday Luncheon | 1pm | R.I.C.H. House
SafeSummit'20 Planning Committee Meeting | 3pm | Children's Board

January 11

Safe & Sound Yoga in the Park | 9:30am | Kings Forest Park & Community Center

January 14

S&SH Family Health & Well-being Committee Meeting | 3:00am | Children's Board

January 17

SafeSummit'20 Planning Committee Meeting | 3:00pm | Children's Board

January 23

S&SH Community Dinner & Conversation | 6:00pm | Location TBD

January 25

Safe & Sound Yoga in the Park | 9:30am | Sandy Perrone Park & Community Center

January 28

S&SH Leadership Council Meeting | 1:00 pm | Children's Board

All meetings are open to the public and are held at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County unless otherwise noted. For more information on how to get involved, contact our office at info@safeandsoundhillsborough.org.