BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Bridging the gap between law enforcement and youth in Gilchrist County - WCJB
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TRENTON, Fla. (WCJB) - Before her role as the Administrative Captain at the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, Sheryl Brown spent years in the jail working her way up from a corrections officer to jail commander.
“Most people that come through our jail are like many of us,” said Brown. “You know you’re talking with them about their goals and dreams.”
She says it was serving as a mentor to inmates that made her look forward to going to work every day -- adding much of her time inside the jail was spent trying to avoid the revolving door process.
“Being able to talk with a lot of the people who were cycled through our jails and having them come back and say you made a difference, thank you for stopping and having a conversation with me or sharing a resource,” said Brown.
As a Gilchrist Prevention Coalition Chair, Brown helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. But even outside of her uniform she serves as a mentor. She also serves as a Take Stock in Children mentor, Toys for Tots volunteer, Salvation Army board member, and is a former youth coach.
Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Shultz said he can’t put a price tag on the value she brings to the community.
“I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen her talk to youth and just sit down and talk to them about life then slowly and loving them push them in the right direction as she sees they’re going down the wrong path and make them a better person.”
When 20-year-old Xander Bowland reflects on his time on Brown’s basketball team, he can’t help but smile.
“She is the best mentor I have ever had in my whole life,” said Bowland.
He says she not only helped him navigate the court at age 14, but helped him overcome his depression and struggles with autism.
“I realize now I have a reason to do stuff now,” Bowland added. “I would be honored to follow her footsteps in teaching basketball the way she taught me.”
He said he would love to get back in the game and work with Brown as her assistant coach.
“You can’t put a price on it,” said Brown. “It is an ongoing type of friendship those are the things that make your heart feel good and why I enjoy doing what I do.”
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source: https://www.wcjb.com/2022/02/28/black-history-month-bridging-gap-between-law-enforcement-youth-gilchrist-county/
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