Campus & Community

Palm Beach State College is hosting another series of community forums on its campuses this academic year to educate and engage the public on wide ranging topics, including economic development, immigration, chronic illness and voting.

The events, which are free and open to the public, are being organized by the Office of Community Relations in partnership with the campuses.

The series launches Nov. 14 at the Belle Glade campus where community leaders will outline initiatives underway to continue to improve the Glades area schools and spur economic development in that region. Titled  “Strengthening Communities for the Future: Economic Development of the Glades, the event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center.

It’s being moderated by Shereena Coleman, vice-president of business facilitation and the Glades region for the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and features a panel discussion. Panelists are: Steven Cornette from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County; Angela Avery-Moore from the School District of Palm Beach County; Charles Duval from Career Source of Palm Beach County; Terry Burroughs from the Florida Heartland Economic Region of Opportunity; and Janet Moreland from Lakeside Medical Center. Representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office will also be making presentations.

“We want these events to help our citizens and students become more active and engaged in their communities,” said Robin Johnson-Blake, director of community relations, a role the College created in 2018 to get more connected to communities and to resources available to students. “These forums not only allow them to participate in meaningful discussions regarding topics pertinent to their community but provides them access to experts and resources within a particular field.”

Other campus forums are:

Lake Worth
Immigration Reform and Civil Liberties
5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Nov. 19, 2019
Public Safety Training Center, Room PSD 108

At the forum, you’ll learn about, the rights of immigrants in this country, types of resources available to immigrants in Palm Beach County, the Immigrant Support Plan from the School District of Palm Beach County and the state of our immigration system.

Loxahatchee Groves
Chronic Illness
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Feb. 20, 2020
Lecture Hall

At the forum, you’ll learn about health care referral sources,  chronic illness support group organizations, limitless medical logs and the legislative impact on chronic illness.

Palm Beach Gardens
#RocktheVote
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, April 16, 2020
Meldon Hall

At the forum, you’ll learn about these topics:
#VoterReady
#VoterValidation
#VoterTechnology
#VoterUpdatedProcess

In addition, there will be new voter machines with an opportunity for attendees to try them out.

Boca Raton
Identity Theft Preventative Measures
Time and Location: TBA, Date: spring 2020

For more information, a list of speakers and to RSVP, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/community-relations-and-engagement/forums.aspx. You can also contact Johnson-Blake at 561-868-3377 or email communityrelations@palmbeachstate.edu.