Captain Marc Yamada and the Montgomery County Police Department brought a mouth-watering feast to the City of Gaithersburg’s Bohrer Park Activity Center for high school students who have participated in the Upcounty Youth-Police Advisory Council this school year. Identity is assisting the Police and Fire Departments to establish two Youth Advisory Councils, one Upcounty and one Downcounty. The first responders aim to encourage youth to identify issues and concerns, to suggest and participate in possible solutions and to ensure an on-going exchange of information. The youth have met with officers and firefighters a number of times this school year. 
The Councils are aligned with Identity’s larger effort to facilitate Youth/Police Dialogues, which provide a safe, structured way for young people from communities of color in Montgomery County to come together with local police officers to speak openly and build trust. In an effort to develop strong and lasting relationships for the youth participants and police, Identity is facilitating a series of discussion circles at three High School Wellness Centers and two Youth Opportunity Centers.