On June 9th, the Department of Juvenile Justice was proud to host a Family Engagement Day at the Macon Youth Development Campus (Macon YDC). Family members and friends of the youth at the Macon YDC came together for a morning and afternoon of fun that included food, dance, and fellowship.  DJJ Commissioner Avery D. Niles and his leadership team that included DJJ Chief of Staff Joe Vignati, Assistant Commissioner Sean Hamilton, Georgia Preparatory Academy Assistant Superintendent Jean Lee, Deputy Commissioner Catina Martin-Fenner, Deputy Commissioner Margaret Cawood, Office of Reentry Services Director Cathy Smith-Curry and Assistant Deputy Commissioner Gary Tolar all were present at the Macon YDC Family Engagement Day and helped make the activities unique and special.

While the main purpose of the Macon YDC Family Engagement Day was to bring together facility youth with their loved ones, the agenda (and decorations) designed by Director Maggie Stidom and her team was outstanding. After initial remarks by DJJ Chaplain Danny Horne and the DJJ leadership, the youth of Macon YDC provided the crowd with thoughtful and creative entertainment.  Dance and poetry went hand in hand in several choreographed student selections. A skit also was performed called "You Don't Live on My Street" which emphasized the importance of understanding how background can play a large role in how life is interpreted and experienced.  A trivia game played by youth and their family members and led by Commissioner Niles and Chief of Staff Vignati brought forth laughs and healthy competition. Songs by several of the Macon YDC youth also touched the hearts of everyone in the audience.

Another highlight of the Macon YDC Family Engagement Day included several motivational speakers, each with their unique perspectives on success and the future.  Commissioner Niles spoke on the importance of juvenile justice reform and how the opportunities available to the Macon YDC youth can lead to a positive and fulfilling life. In addition, keynote speakers Aakeem Woodard and Eloise Edmonds both reflected on their experiences in the juvenile and adult correctional realms and that every life is individual and special and that the past incidents should not and will not fully define one entire life.  The theme and the message of all of the speakers was clear:  the direction of one's life is determined by one's thoughts and actions as whole and that, despite past mistakes, we can all succeed.

The Department of Juvenile Justice would like to thank all of the employees of the Macon YDC who helped to make the Family Engagement Day a special time for family and youth alike.