Building Bridges through Conversation: Together Achieving Greatness: Connects with Palm Beach County Youth

The Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) recently partnered with Why'd You Stop Me? (WYSM) to bring its Together Achieving Greatness program to local youth, strengthening understanding and trust between law enforcement and the community through communication, empathy and mutual respect.

Led by WYSM founder and law enforcement veteran Jason Lehman and trainer Charles Myles, the interactive presentations combined real-world scenarios and personal experiences to encourage participants to consider different perspectives, challenge assumptions and recognize the importance of effective communication in preventing conflict.

From October 14-17, 2026, the CJC coordinated six training engagements at five Palm Beach County high schools (Glades Central Community High School, Jupiter Community High School, Lake Worth Community High School, Palm Beach Lakes Community High School, and Riviera Beach Prep & Achievement Academy) and Highridge Family Center. The initiative included a full day of engagement at Glades Central Community High School in the Glades community.

Jason Lehman and Charles Myles also participated in IGNITE: The Father & Son Grill Challenge, hosted by Love, Hope & Healing, Inc., at Gaines Park Community Center in West Palm Beach on October 17. The event brought together nearly 100 attendees, with fathers and sons, along with father figures, mentors, and mentees, working together to assemble grills and prepare food. Guided conversation questions encouraged discussions about trust, communication, responsibility, emotions, and supporting one another. Members of the West Palm Beach Police Department also engaged with families throughout the day, helping to strengthen community connections. Each participating team took home a new grill and accessories to continue the shared experience at home.

Together, these engagements created opportunities for meaningful dialogue, mutual respect, and stronger connections between youth and law enforcement. Aligned with the CJC's annual priorities for youth prevention, mentorship, and community engagement, the initiative reflects the Commission's ongoing commitment to building trust, strengthening community partnerships, and more connected communities throughout Palm Beach County.

We would like to recognize Commissioner Joel G. Flores, Chief Michael Coleman, Riviera Beach Police Department, the West Palm Beach Police Department, Palm Beach County School District, former School Board Member Erica Whitfield, and Donte Bates, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Love, Hope & Healing, Inc., for their support of this initiative.

For additional information, please contact Taruna Malhotra, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission, at: [email protected].