Coloring book project educates children on law enforcement with age-appropriate tools
Great Barrington, Mass. (Aug. 8, 2019) – The Great Barrington Police Department is now distributing activity and coloring books to young children to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the local community, with a focus on anti-violence awareness.
“Police Officers Are Our Friends” is a custom-made activity book developed and distributed by a Sharon-based nonprofit, The Law, Your Money and You! (LymYOU!). LymYOU!, which promotes financial literacy and awareness of complex financial and legal issues, and also fosters positive relations between police and communities, with a focus on young people. These activity books for children are recommended by the Massachusetts Police Chief’s Association and others; LymYOU! has received grant awards from town cultural councils and businesses. The activity books have been distributed to many police departments around the state.
”This is a nice tool for our community outreach work, and especially in our interactions with children” said Great Barrington Police Chief William R. Walsh. “Anyone can drop into the police station to pick up a coloring book, and our officers will have a supply when they are out and about.”
LymYou! also offers a cable TV talk program with co-hosts attorney Roberta Saphire and Financial Organizer and Health Care Advisor Camille Barron. These programs are found on the organization’s website.
In addition to its cable TV show, LymYOU! has co-sponsored high school Financial Reality Fairs and organizations such as the Rotary Club. Recently. LymYOU! has immersed itself into STEM education by becoming the main sponsor of a competitive robotics club, Team Unlimited, which consists of a group of passionate teens who are willing to dedicate themselves to robotics, software, hardware, and outreach for STEM.
“LymYOU’s community-based program is an impressive model for promoting financial literacy and public safety awareness, and we are pleased to make use of part of their program here in Great Barrington,” said Walsh.