A Visit from the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay

The U.S. Attorney's Office recently hosted a group of 29 teens from the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay.  The group is part of the Y.E.S. (Youth Employment Services) Program. Y.E.S. targets Club Members who are most in need of academic support and career development. Through Y.E.S., teens are introduced to the skills and traits that will increase their employability. In job readiness activities, Club Members progress through employability skills training, moving them step-by-step through job preparation, job seeking, and the job attainment process. In addition, teens explore various occupations which assist them in setting, pursuing, and realizing their career goals.

During the visit, various attorneys and support staff members discussed their roles in the U.S. Attorney's Office. Each employee detailed the education and career path that led them to their current position.  After learning about the different job opportunities within the U.S. Attorney's Office, the guests were escorted to the Tampa Police Department where they learned about the bicycle patrol unit, the K-9 squad, the motorcycle unit, the public information section, and had an opportunity to speak individually with TPD officers and staff.

The next stop on the tour was the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse.  The group was treated to a discussion with United States District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell, who discussed her positive life choices, education, and the career path that led her to the federal judiciary. She answered questions from the students, even the most candid ones. Following the visit with Judge Honeywell, the teens embarked on a behind the scenes tour of the federal courthouse.  There they were given a tour of the holding cells and learned about the role of the court security officer and the importance of keeping everyone safe.

During the short four-hour visit, the Y.E.S. Club Members got a peek into some of the job opportunities that may await them in the Tampa criminal justice world.  We hope they enjoyed the visit as much as we did.