The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC) operating under Horizons Youth Services (HYS) recognized Red Ribbon Week during Monday Business Meeting on October 26, 2015. Kim Bess, Project Coordinator and Kristi Justice, Executive Director, Kanawha Communities that Care spoke to all students and staff regarding the national campaign, drug free pledge, and program activities.

According to the website, www.redribbon.org “The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign, in response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.” The campaign is officially observed October 24-28, 2016 and has touched millions of people, increased awareness, and encouraged drug free pledges across the nation since inception.

Charleston Job Corps Center partnered with Kanawha Communities that Care to speak to students about the campaign to bring awareness and continue its national Youth-2-Youth Campaign: Partners 4 Peace initiatives on center. Students and staff received red wrist bands in honor of the event.

Justice informed the audience of how Red Ribbon Week started and encouraged students to wear their red ribbons that were distributed. “Wear your Red Ribbon with pride in honor of someone you know that is dealing with the drug epidemic.” Kim Bess talked to the students about S.A.D.D. which stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions. “We encourage every student to be a part of your local S.A.D.D. Chapter.” CJCC started a S.A.D.D. Chapter in September 2016.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.