Youth Grantmakers in Action (YGA) recently announced eight grants totaling $2,460 at their annual grant celebration event. These grants will support projects to help the youth of Forsyth County come together to make a difference in our community.

2017 Grant Recipients

• East Forsyth Key Club: $100 to host a spaghetti dinner to raise funds to purchase sports equipment and food for a summer program
• Fine Arts: $300 for a fundraiser that showcases the talents of local youth
• Grace Church Youth Worship/Ministry Group: $350 to provide nutritional information to youth and encourage better eating habits
• Reagan Black Achievers: $260 to host a leadership event for 60 elementary school students
• Reagan High School Young Black Male Achievers: $500 to provide a scholarship to a senior Young Black Male Achievers member
• THETA Program and Scholarship Fund: $350 for a high school theatre awards gala created to raise scholarship funds for a theatre summer enrichment program
• Top Teens of America: $100 for a community walk to raise awareness about St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
• Winston-Salem Youth Advisory Council: $500 to assemble care packages for military youth

YGA is a diverse group of youth ages 15-18 from all over Forsyth County who meet to gain leadership experience, represent the youth of the community, and grant money to youth-led community projects that will have a positive impact on the community.

A program of The Winston-Salem Foundation, YGA was formed in 2005 from the vision of Dr. Nathaniel Irvin and the financial support of Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. Since its first round of grants was made in 2006, YGA has granted over $21,000 to youth-led community projects.

The following was provided for your information by the Winston-Salem Police Department and the City of Winston-Salem

Barry D. Rountree, Winston-Salem’s chief of police since 2013, announced that he will retire Sept. 1, having served the citizens of Winston-Salem for 29 and a half years.

“I have had a very rewarding career,” Rountree said. “I have been able to serve in nearly every sworn position in the department, and now it is time to turn the reins over to the next generation of leadership.”

Rountree started his career as a police officer on Jan. 25, 1988. He was promoted to senior police officer (today’s rank of corporal) in 1992, sergeant in 1996, lieutenant in 2000, captain in 2004 and assistant police chief in 2007. Over these years he served in the Field Services Bureau, the Investigative Services Bureau, the Support Services Bureau, and the Professional Standards Division.

Rountree said he has been blessed to have served without any serious injuries. “Many have not been as fortunate as I and suffered serious injuries,” he said, “and during my career with the police department I have seen eight coworkers lose their lives while serving. They are a constant reminder to all police officers of the risks they take to ensure the public safety.”

Rountree is a North Carolina state-certified Basic Law Enforcement Training general instructor and holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Standards Training Commission. Rountree has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Winston-Salem State University and a master’s in public affairs from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Rountree also is a graduate of the Administrative Officers Management Program at North Carolina State University and the Municipal Administration program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rountree said he is most proud of trying to make the Winston-Salem Police Department better for employees, and for improving service delivery to the citizens. “We have worked diligently to improve community relations and promote WSPD’s ‘brand,’ ” he said.

City Manager Lee Garrity said that Rountree had done a remarkable job of leading the police department. “With a steady hand and a firm belief in serving all, Chief Rountree has enhanced public safety while avoiding the community-trust challenges that other communities have faced,” he said.

Garrity said he will begin the process to select the next chief by consulting with the mayor, members of the City Council, police employees and community leaders.

Police officers assigned to the Winston-Salem Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit will hold free motorcycle rider skills training in April, May and June as part of the BikeSafe NC initiative to improve motorcycle safety.
At each BikeSafe Rider Skills Day, WSPD motorcycle officers will assess rider skills and offer training to make riding in North Carolina safer and more enjoyable. Along with professional riding techniques, topics will include negotiating hazards and safe cornering and passing. The day-long training includes classroom sessions and on-the-road skills assessment and coaching.
Rider Skills Days in Winston-Salem are scheduled for April 21, May 26 and June 16. Additional days may be scheduled. Space is limited.
For more information and to register go to BikeSafeNC.com.