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Lester, Pittman complete Youth Worker Academy

22 graduated from the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice Youth Worker Academy #97, including Jonathon Lester and Rebecca Pittman from the Adair YDC.

Frankfort, KY - In August, The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) graduated the newest class of certified youth workers. The 22 new youth workers will serve at DJJ facilities throughout the Commonwealth. The Youth Worker Academy is a seven-week intensive training program designed to provide basic skills training in security practices, and procedures necessary to function in a juvenile facility setting. The graduates' class motto was "Building Bridges to Reconnect Youth to their Community."


The graduation ceremony, held at the Louisville Day Treatment facility, began with a short greeting from the Director of Professional Development, Grace Smith, "We started out with 22, and we are ending with 22. We have given you all the best that we in order to make you the best that you can be." Santiago Sanchez, heading to Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center, was chosen by his class to give the class motto, vision, and mission. The class chose Jurrell Lawson, heading to Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center, to talk about the class experience, and lastly, David Scott who will be going to Frankfort Group Home was asked to give the class challenge. Scott told his fellow graduates, "We have an obligation to be a role model to our peers and the youth. Start every shift with a positive attitude. Hold yourself and those around you accountable."

Mr. William Campbell, the new Academy Branch Manager, gave the graduate address, "Every day that you come to work there will be new challenges. No two days are the same, but I ask that you go out there and be the best that you can be. You will make mistakes. Learn from them and keep seeking knowledge to be better." Following, graduate certificates were handed out by Kris Mann, Deputy Commissioner and Clay Settle, Wanda Ulery, and Gary White who are all instructors.

The graduating class included:
  • Corey Chestnut (Green River YDC)
  • Mark Davis (Mayfield YDC)
  • Amber Groneck (Campbell YDC)
  • Joshua Hess (Ashland GH)
  • Brandon Hulse (Warren RJDC)
  • Demetric Johnson (McCracken RJDC)
  • John B. Kloeker (Campbell RJDC)
  • Jurell Lawson (Campbell RJDC)
  • Jonathon Lester (Adair YDC)
  • Rebecca Pittman (Adair YDC)
  • Phillip Poole (Fayette RJDC)
  • Santiago Sanchez (Warren RJDC)
  • Dylan Saylor (Fayette RJDC)
  • David Scott (Frankfort GH)
  • Vanessa Sekic (Morehead YDC)
  • Kristyn Sparks (Fayette RJDC)
  • Glenda Stafford (Morehead YDC)
  • Richard Tobergte (Mayfield YDC)
  • Justin Vincent (Green River YDC)
  • Ashley Waters (Morehead YDC)
  • Melissa Young (Northern Kentucky YDC)


This story was posted on 2018-09-20 06:12:56
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