b'Washington County Attorneys Office2019 Annual Report Mentorship Program African American Male Mentorship ProgramTheAfricanAmericanMaleMentorshipProgramwas started in 2015.At various events the young men hear from a varietyofspeakerswhosharedtheirstoriesoftheir background, how they chose their profession, what it takes to besuccessfulintheirvariousfieldsofworkandhowthe students could improve their opportunities in adult life by the actions they take now.Many of the speakers were African American and it was poignant to see many of these young men make major shifts in their vision of what they thought they could do with their lives.OnMay15,2019PeteOrputandBrentWartner attendedthe5thannualyearendcelebrationoftheTazel Institutes African American student education program at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Over a hundred twenty students and parentsfromsevenareahighschoolsinandaround Washington County participated in the program and attended the celebration. OnDecember11,2019theWashingtonCounty AttorneysOfficeinpartnershipwiththeTazelInstitute hostedabout70studentsandteachersfromEagan, Rosemount,AppleValley,EastView,Woodbury,East RidgeandCottageGrovehighschoolsforadayof educationaltrainingforAfricanAmericanmalestudents with a goal of exposing the students to career opportunities in the criminal justice system.Students were introduced to the daily work experience of a prosecutors office and the important function that each employee has in seeking justice onbehalfofthecommunity.Inaddition,guestspeakers providedmotivationalexamplesofhowcommitmentand dedication can allow disadvantaged students to gain access to higher education and become successful in pursing their dreams.During this day-long event, students had an opportunity to meet with trial attorneys in different areas of the office and learned about the basic steps involved in the prosecution ofacriminalcase.Thestudentsalsolearnedhowthecounty attorney must work and collaborate with victims, law enforcement andthecommunitytofindjustice.Guestpresentersincluded JudgeToddrickBarnette,HennepinCountyDistrictCourt,4 thJudicialDistrict;SufianKalil,JuvenileProbationOfficer, WashingtonCountyCommunityCorrectionsandMauryGlover, Reporter Fox9 KMSP. Participating youth are encouraged to support one another in making positive life decisionsand to develop a network of mentors in governmental agenciesand the business community for future career opportunities.20'