The El Paso County Judge Enrique H. Peña Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) in conjunction with NextGen, a Washington, D.C. based non-profit, will be taking part in Global Youth Service Day (GYSD).  GYSD celebrates and mobilizes millions of young people throughout the world to come together to improve their communities through community activities. 

In El Paso, GYSD will be celebrated April 29th through May 1st, 2022. This year’s theme is “Violence, Breaking the Cycle & Healing.” Through art and service-learning activities and research, JJC youth will focus on preventing violence in our communities while emphasizing the importance of empathy and unity. 

On April 30th, the JJC invites the public to join them at 11:00 a.m. at the Ascarate Park Healing Garden, 6900 Delta Dr. Speakers which include elected officials and Rosie Medina, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, will give remarks and a metal art project created by JJC youth called the “Lotus Flower” will be unveiled in memory of the 23 August 3rd shooting victims.

The JJC would like to thank Mr. Victor Casas, El Pasoan Muralist & Sculptor, for assisting with the creation of the flower with tie bar wire project. Other supportive stakeholders include Project Vida and Security Next-Gen, a non-profit 501c3 organization out of Washington D.C.  

About the Lotus Flower Sculpture – JCC and Ascarate Park have come together to pay tribute to the 23 victims memorialized at the County’s Healing Garden through the creation of a metal art project called the “Lotus Flower” with 23 petals honoring each victim. JJC partnered this year with Mr. Victor Casas, El Pasoan Muralist and Sculptor, to create the flower with tie bar wire. JJC youth were instructed under his leadership every Saturday in the month of April at Ascarate Park. 

About the Juvenile Justice Center - The El Paso County Judge Enrique H. Peña Juvenile Justice Center is a professional center dedicated to public safety by promoting restorative justice and rehabilitation of young adults. Annually, through its Community Improvement Program, the Department participates in a Global Youth Service Day (GYSD).