Community groups announce youth resilience summit and detention-center book drive at JCPC meeting

During the public-comment portion of the Feb. 19 Buncombe County JCPC meeting, James Allegretto, executive director of Youth in North Carolina, announced a Youth Resilience Summit in Asheville on March 18 and invited local providers and volunteers to attend. The one-day summit (8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.) will feature local and national presenters and offered continuing-education credits and scholarships to reduce cost barriers.

"We're holding a youth resilience summit right here in Asheville, March 18," Allegretto said, adding that scholarships were available to ensure cost is not a barrier to attendance.

Separately, an attorney thanked Fatima, a DJJ court counselor, for organizing a community-led effort to replenish reading materials at Alexander Detention Center. The group is working with Firestorm Books to collect paperback middle-grade and young-adult titles; volunteers discussed logistic details such as paperback-only donations, avoiding inappropriate content, and coordinating drop-off to minimize staff burden.

Council members recommended channels for outreach (including translated short videos and community social channels) and noted the importance of pre-screening donations so staff are not overwhelmed by unsuitable materials.

Next steps: Allegretto will provide digital materials and scholarship instructions to JCPC staff; volunteers will coordinate collections and contact the DJJ court counselor for delivery details.