Passaic County Freeholders Honor the Paterson Youth Council

On January 24, during the first regular meeting of 2012, the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented members of the Paterson Youth Council (PYC) with an award for service to the Passaic community.

Before beginning with regularly scheduled agenda items, the Freeholders set aside the first 30 minutes of their meeting to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King by acknowledging individuals that demonstrate service and dedication to the Passaic County community.

Sasha Polanco of the PYC kicked off the festivities with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a performance by the Passaic County Tech Tones—a group of students from Passaic County Technical Institute that sang the Negro National Anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing.

After the musical performance, Freeholder TJ Best presented awards to the Paterson Youth Council, the seven recipients of the MLK Youth Recognition Awards as well as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Bob Guarasci, the CEO of NJCDC stated, “I am so proud of Paterson’s youth. They are passionate about their community and I am thankful that the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders recognizes the value of the PYC on a county level.”

The Paterson Youth Council, organized by New Jersey Community Development Corporation, is the premier voice for the young people of Paterson, representing and engaging the youth of Paterson to create opportunities to better themselves and their community. Made up of 25-35 dynamic young residents of Paterson between the ages of 13 and 19, the youth council serves as a venue to discuss issues that concern and affect them most.

PYC member holding award

PCTI's Tech Tones

Freeholder TJ Best

PYC members and Passaic County Freeholders