July 14, 2022

Central Montgomery Optimist Club Hosts “Think First” Conference for Cleveland Avenue YMCA Students 

The Central Montgomery Optimist Club (CMOC) hosted a successful “Think First” youth conference at the Cleveland Avenue YMCA in Montgomery, Alabama.  The event provided students a platform to learn new strategies when interacting with law enforcement, consequences of risky behavior, and positive and negative actions to various situations relating to peer pressure and bullying.
Approximately 50 students in grades 4-8 were very engaged in conversation with guest speaker Sgt.  Marshawn Garner with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. They asked many questions pertaining to police operations, careers and community safety concerns. Sgt. Garner explained the important of building relationships.  It’s good for youth to ask questions, watch, listen, and speak to an adult or contact law enforcement. “Our main goal is to protect life and make sure our children are safe,” said Sgt. Garner.
CMOC club members led discussions with the youth with examples on what could happen when they react in negative and positive ways to various real-life situations. The goal was for youth to understand that there are consequences behind their actions. “We believe it is important for children to grow up with a strong belief in abiding by the law, respecting law enforcement and doing what they can to maintain peace,” CMOC Club President Tammy Freeman Brown said. “We hope that our project with the local students will make a difference in the local community.”