Kickoff to Series of Anti-Gang Workshops in Ivanhoe Starts March 18

Tulare County and school officials say a series of parenting workshops in Ivanhoe will help fight gangs and other negative community influences.

The “Families Step Up for Ivanhoe” is a series of 10 workshops designed to identify and address issues families have in their community. The first workshop is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 18 at Ivanhoe Elementary School, 16030 Ave. 332 in Ivanhoe.
 
Ivanhoe Elementary School Principal Debbie Cardoza said families are invited to attend the free workshop and select topics for future family sessions that the community has interest or concerns with. Representatives from the Ivanhoe Elementary School, Tulare County Probation Department, and the Boys & Girls Club of Tulare County will facilitate the workshops.

“We do not want to provide parents with a curriculum,” Cardoza said. “This event is an opportunity for parents and their children to share their concerns and the facilitators to listen.”

Tulare County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Worthley, who represents Ivanhoe, said he looks forward to the continuing partnership between the county, schools, and community-based organizations.

“I would like to thank the Tulare County Probation Department and the Visalia Unified School District, especially the Ivanhoe school site, for hosting this Step Up event,” Chairman Worthley said. “Parents are encouraged to participate and learn, from each other, various strategies for gang awareness and keeping children of out gangs.”

Cardoza said expected workshop topics include gang prevention, effective discipline in the home, family goal setting, parent-child communication, and education. 

Before the workshop sessions, Tulare County Superior Court Judge Valeriano Saucedo, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court, will be the guest speaker. Free dinner and child care will also be provided.

Additional Workshops

Tulare County Probation Department Chief Janet Honadle said additional family sessions in the community of Ivanhoe will be conducted by Tulare County Probation Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Officers, Gene Fernandez and Guadalupe Gomez.

“The Probation Department is dedicated to changing lives,” Chief Honadle said. “We believe that the community issues need to be listened to, and where we can, step-up to their challenge and provide services that can make a difference.” 

Honadle said the dates of future workshops will being April 8, 2010 and subsequent Thursdays until the sessions are complete.