U.S. Attorney’s Office and Bristol County District Attorney’s Office to Conduct “Your Future, Your Decision” for Fall River Youth

The United States Attorney’s Office, in partnership with Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter’s Office and the Fall River Public Schools, is conducting a crime prevention event for approximately 250 eighth grade students at Talbot Middle School, 124 Melrose Street, Fall River.

The event will take place on Tuesday October 28, 2014 from 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. See attached agenda for a complete list of the event’s speakers. The media are encouraged to attend.

The event, “Your Future, Your Decision,” is a program combining presentations about the importance of good decision making, and a resource fair. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz will speak to the students about the choices she made that led her from her childhood in Spanish Harlem to her current position as United States Attorney. A member of the community who was a former at-risk youth will speak to the students about choices he made and how he turned his life around. Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Sam Sutter and Shannon Grant Prosecutor Mike Cahillane will speak to students about topics such as bullying, sexting, drugs and gangs and the legal and social consequences that can impact their future, particularly as it affects their ability to get jobs, housing and admission to college.

Students will also visit a resource fair in the cafeteria that will offer information on programs offered after school and in the summer. Organizations participating will include: Boys & Girls Club; Fall River Public Library; Greater Fall River RE-Creation; Partners for a Healthier Community; Fall River Falcons; Fall River Community Tennis Association; YMCA; and the Family Service Association.

A resource guide will also be available to students. The guide, developed by District Attorney Sam Sutter’s Office, is aimed specifically at middle school aged students, and provides information about activities and programs in the City of Fall River that are available. The guide offers an insight into different hobbies, sports, art, leadership opportunities, education, physical fitness, health and extracurricular activities. District Attorney Sam Sutter created the guide to urge students to spend their free time engaged in positive, productive and healthy activities.

The “Your Future, Your Decision” event fits in with the vision of the Fall River Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, which seeks to connect programs and activities together to work toward a common vision of peace for our city and work toward the positive development of our youth. For more information on the Fall River Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, please visit www.FRYouthViolencePrevention.org.

For more information about the “Your Future, Your Decision” event, contact Cecelia Porché, Director of Community Affairs, at (508) 961-1984.

Contacts:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—after hours

Ashley Bendiksen
Media Assistant
508-997-0711
774-929-5614—after hours