Bucks County to Host 3rd Annual Community Resource Day for Youth

Bucks County’s 3rd Annual Community Resource Day for Youth will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at the Bucks County Community College (BCCC) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  The Gallagher Room, inside the Charles E. Rollins Center of BCCC, will transform into a resource fair, featuring many of the free opportunities available to Bucks County youth provided by local organizations.

According to a county release, the goal of the Community Resource Day is to showcase programs, activities, and scholarships available to help Bucks County kids forge positive connections with others, find their passion, and build self esteem. Dozens of local organizations and agencies will exhibit free local events and programs available for all Bucks County adolescents.

Presenting agencies include: AACES Coffee House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, Boy Scouts of America, Bucks County Community College, Bucks County L.I.F.E. Program, Bucks County Parks and Recreation, Bucks County Workforce Investment Board/Career Link, Bucks First Federal Credit Union, Bucks Promise for Youth and Communities, Children's Cultural Center, Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick's Office, Job Corps, Last Chance Ranch, Lower Bucks Family YMCA, LYFT, MY LIFE, NAMI, North Penn Valley Boys and Girls Club, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania State Police- Camp Cadet, Peace Valley Nature Center, Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation, Rainbow Room, Robert James Leonard Foundation, Silver Lake Nature Center, Synergy Project, Town and Country Players, Upper Bucks Alliance for Creative Expression, Upper Bucks County Vocational Technical High School, Voice and Vision Youth Outreach, Voice and Vision Youth Connections, a Woman's Place and more.

In addition, teens who have participated in past programs will also be displaying their talents in short performances and presentations staggered throughout the fair.

Everyone is invited to attend. This will be a day of joining all people -- parents, social workers, attorneys, psychologists, guidance counselors, school personnel, and others who work with youth -- together with organizations that provide positive opportunities to engage youth.

Community Resource Day is presented by Bucks County Resource Committee for Youth. Now in its third year, the Committee continues to be spearheaded by Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Judge, Rea B. Boylan, and Bucks County Deputy Chief of Juvenile Probation, Bill Rufe.  Other committee members include: Lynn Cohen of Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream; Alisa Elstone of Youth Services Agency P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S Program; Emily Ferris of Voice and Vision, Inc.; Caryn Kadel of Bucks County Intermediate Unit; Robin Kerwin, Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Rea B. Boylan; Elizabeth Kulick of Bucks County Community College; Christine Lilley of Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency; Kasey March of the Robert James Leonard Foundation; Barbara Miller of Bucks County Department of Mental Health/Developmental Programs; Karen Plummer of Voice and Vision, Inc.; Michele Rice of Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream; Graham Sayles of Voice and Vision, Inc.; Dr. John Shanken-Kaye of Associates for Counseling and Educational Services; and Nancy Larkin Taylor, Esq. of Bucks for Kids.

“Juveniles in our court system continue to benefit from the use of these resources in the community.  It enables them to develop relationships with law-abiding peers based upon their interests and provides unique opportunities to connect with mentors in our community,” notes Judge Boylan. “These opportunities may prevent at risk youth from entering our system.”

The Community Resource Committee believes that by introducing young adults to free opportunities their energies will be positively focused toward their passions and a productive future.

If you are aware of any free programs that benefit adolescents or for more information on Community Resource Day, contact bucksresourceday@gmail.com.