By Sarrah Peters, News Editor
The Gadsden Job Corps will host a Peace Walk on Wednesday, September 21 at 10 a.m. The community is welcome to join the students and staff.
The Peace Walk will begin at the Gadsden Job Corps at 600 Valley Street and end at Carver Community Center on Tuscaloosa Avenue.
Once arriving at the comunity center, local leaders will address attendees. Gadsden Mayor Sherman Guyton and the Etowah County commissioners will present proclamations. Job Corps Center Director Juvenol Levros will also address attendees as part of the program. Face-painting will be offered.
The Peace Walk is part of the Job Corps celebration the International Day of Peace, which is Sept. 21.
Nationally, Job Corps students are walking for peace throughout the United States. Business and Community Liason Manager Harold Carpenter said that about 125 Job Corps centers are participating.
The Job Corps centers planned the event as part of an anti-violence initiative called Youth 2 Youth. The student-led organization aims to have students address the violence in their communities and work to prevent it by sharing personal stories and come up with solutions together.
The Gadsden Job Corps has several other events planned next week to continue to spread the message of peace to its students. On Monday, the “Week of Peace” kick-off will be held, and a tree planting ceremony will be hosted at 6 p.m. On Tuesday, there will be an “Appreciation Day” for both staff and students. On Thursday, there will be spoken word and a “Glow Party.” On Friday, the center will hold a family day, with entertainment and prizes.
The Job Corps students hope that by involving the community, they can all work together to get closer to their goal: peace.