Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 6-3-22

Local
Tampa Heights Cultural Festival To Be Held June 22nd
By MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
The second annual Tampa Heights Cultural Festival: A Juneteenth Celebration, will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The free event will be hosted by the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association (THJCA), a non-profit organization dedi- cated to the Tampa Heights area.
The festival aims to bring pride and knowledge about the Tampa Heights neighbor- hood and convey the impor-
tance of Juneteenth to Tampa Heights youngsters.
The THJCA has many pro- grams that provide life skills for children, including after school youth development, in- school support and summer enrichment programs.
The organization also acts as a community liaison to link children and their families to other resources in the city. Mentorship is encouraged, along with tutoring in and out of school. Training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and STEM/STEAM work- shops are available.
“We call it wrap-around
NAYA YOUNG ... EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THJCA
service, where we ensure chil- dren are doing well in and out of school. THJCA provides so- cial work services, including on-site case managers and counselors so that children are safe in school and at home,” explains Nala Young, Execu- tive Director.
“We are a community- based, resident-driven organi- zation. With this festival, we are celebrating the rich history of Tampa Heights and history of Juneteenth. We want to make sure that we are also benefiting the community, es- pecially the children and fam- ilies that THJCA serves.”
Young is the granddaugh- ter of the THJCA founder and board chairman, Lena Young Green. Her father, Owen Young, is also on the board. Young states that most of the family lives in Tampa Heights.
Proceeds from sponsor- ships, parking, vendor fees will go back into THJCA pro- grams.
The address for the cele- bration is the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, 2005 N Lamar Ave, Tampa, FL 33602. To register for the free event, go to https:// hcf22.eventbrite.com.
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