“We are all family,” explained Jerome Davis, program coordinator of the Work Readiness Enrichment Program (WREP). “But sometimes families lose touch.”
What do you do when you haven’t seen your cousins in years? Well, naturally, you throw a family reunion. On a hot July afternoon, WREP is tossing burgers on the grill and calling in all the young men and their families who have been a part of the program over the past five years. “I’m looking forward to seeing how they’re doing, which is the most important thing, and to reconnecting with them and letting them know WREP hasn’t forgotten about them,” Mr. Davis said. WREP doesn’t forget about anybody. The WREP program—thriving at the intersection of Deep Center, the Savannah–Chatham County Public School System, and the Chatham County Juvenile Court—exists to serve young men in our community who are justice involved in some way. “WREP helps me get to the next grade,” cohort member Steffon explained. WREP functions as a diversion program, an alternative school, and, according to cohort member Cam, a bank of knowledge in all its many forms, including life skills and heart-first mentorship. The young men who pass through WREP’s halls know that whatever they need, they’ll find trusted adults inside who can help them access it, whether it’s study skills, job training, or connection to resources they or their families might require.
WREP serves the whole young person, in mind, body, and community—and WREP is bringing that same philosophy to the WREP Reunion on Friday. In addition to offering good food and a program of speakers, WREP staff knew they wanted outside organizations providing necessary resources to have a prominent presence at the event. “Attendees will be able to get counseling or employment help or housing,” said Julius Campbell, a Deep Center Life Navigator working with WREP. “We wanted to have as many resources related to every area that might be a need.” Organizations lined up to appear at the reunion include…
WREP staff are eager to reconnect with young men they may not have seen in years. “This is an opportunity to bring every person back into the space,” Julius said. “We want to bring in everybody who has been part of this team over the past five years to celebrate them.” And not only to celebrate them, but also to follow up with them. Julius continued: “We want to make sure that they are doing well in school or working. We want to know what their home situation is. Just because they are not a part of the WREP space anymore, that doesn’t mean they aren’t a part of the WREP family.” Even if the young men themselves can’t make it to the reunion, WREP staff members hope their families will still come. Family, for WREP, means the whole community.
The reunion will feature an awards ceremony for the three past and present directors of WREP, a special celebration for the young men who graduated from high school in May, and awards and plaques for past participants to applaud their post-WREP accomplishments. WREP will also launch a special program yearbook full of highlights from field trips, memories from the past year, and portraits of the most recent cohort of WREP participants. “It’s important for them to see we are right there with them and celebrating their success,” said Julius. “We want them to come back and see the love.” Love, community, and a cookout—what more does a family reunion need?
To learn more about WREP and the ways you can support this vital program and the community it serves, click here.