Joliet church to host youth empowerment fair

Second Baptist Church in Joliet will host a fair Nov. 16 that aims to empower youths with resources, especially those who are preparing to attend college.

The inaugural Youth Empowerment Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at Second Baptist Church, 156 S. Joliet St., Joliet.

The fair will have free food and free haircuts for youths, as well as information on what they need to know about college, said Jaron Nabors Sr., founder of the civic organization called 2morrowStartz2day.

“There’s a lot of things the youth don’t know that can help prepare them [for] college – a lot of things afforded to them [and] provided to them that they have no knowledge of,” Nabors said.

Nabors’ organization, the Toni Medina Youth Center and the New Day Employment Network worked together to create the fair, Nabors said.

The fair will have several vendors, such as the U.S. Navy and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 176 union, he said.

Nabors said if high school students participate and assist with the fair, they can earn community service hours.

Several guest speakers will be at the fair as well.

Nabors said Torrie Grubbs, a social worker for Laraway School District 70C, will talk to youths about college and programs that can provide them assistance.

Nabors said he wants the youths to “get empowered” with the information they need to prepare for the future.

“They are the future of our generation, and they need to know these things,” he said.

To participate in the fair, call Nabors at 779-875-9537.

Nabors said anyone who’s interested in making donations can visit the website for his organization at 2morrowstartz2day.com.