Summer 2018 saw the second year of the Public Safety Career Pipeline Program, developed and facilitated by Angela Thi Bennett, Director of Development and Programming for the Cleveland Police Foundation. Fifty students followed the program for six weeks, with classroom training, research projects, and field trips.
Representatives from NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives), Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, Ohio Guidestone, and the Rape Crisis Center – to name a few – presented the students lessons applicable to real life situations. Among the field trips were visits to the Cleveland Police Mounted Unit, the Justice Center, NASA, and a week experiencing higher education set at Hocking College. Students were also able to research and create their Capstone projects, necessary for high school graduation.
On July 27, the students, along with family and friends, gathered in the Cleveland City Hall rotunda for graduation. Mayor Frank G. Jackson gave the Keynote Speech and the students received special recognition and certificates. To express their appreciation to Ms. Bennett, the students created a thank you video:
Ms. Bennett summed up the experience: “Congratulations Class of 2018!!! Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your life for six fulfilling weeks. You are all destined for greatness. Just step into your purpose and be the change!”