Community Awareness for Youth event promises fun, food and guidance
Volunteers grill hamburgers at a previous Community Awareness For Youth (CAFY) event. CAFY will be held this year on Aug. 17. (CONTRIBUTED)
HUNTSVILLE – The Community Awareness For Youth (CAFY) event on Aug. 17 hopes to guide youth to resources as they mature into adults and may be one of largest youth events held in Madison County.
The event on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be held at the Jaycees building and fairgrounds, 2180 Airport Road in Huntsville. The target audience is 12- through 18-year-olds or grades 7-12.
Local businesses, law enforcement, schools and organizations collaborate “to match kids with resources to help them be successful in each of the four pillars — health, education, careers and finances,” founder Dr. Harry Hobbs said. Hobbs works as communication relations officer for Huntsville Police Department.
Huntsville and Madison police sponsor CAFY as “a strategic initiative designed to prepare the youth of Madison County for success as they venture into adulthood, enter the workforce or pursue higher education,” Hobbs said.
Information booths will offer material for ‘the four pillars.’ “You can look forward to having a good time with the many demonstrations, games, contests and music,” Hobbs said. Guests also will enjoy free food and giveaways. All family members are welcome to attend. A limited quantity of school backpacks with supplies will be available for younger children.
Education is the major emphasis, but fun is another goal for CAFY. “Life is serious business, but we can have fun and still do what we need to do, too” Hobbs said. “The back-to-school event has something for everyone and all ages are welcome.”
In 2011, more than 1,000 people attended this community awareness event, and that total more than doubled to 2,500 in 2012. “We expect over 3,000 attendees this year to make it the largest youth event in Madison County,” Hobbs said.
New this year, “Madison County’s Got Talent” show will feature the youth in performance. The top three acts will receive trophies and prizes. To register an act, visit huntsvillecafy.com and click “Talent Contest.”
For more information, call 256-425-5307 or visit hsvpolice.com, huntsvillecafy.com or Facebook/HuntsvilleCAFY.
