Children’s commission honors people who advocate for kids

The Coos County Commission on Children and Families has bestowed its highest award on former Coos Bay police chief Eura Washburn and Coos Bay Police Officers Association.

The commission honored them and other community volunteers at its annual celebration Dec. 12 in Coos Bay that attracted 80 community members, a press release said.

The commission gave its Judge Richard Barron Award to Washburn and the association because they significantly impacted the lives of high risk youth in Coos County.

The award is named after Barron to honor his work as the juvenile court judge of Coos County for more than 25 years.

Current police chief and commission member Rodger Craddock nominated the officers for their volunteer efforts in re-siding the school building owned by the nonprofit Alternative Youth Activities. The building’s asbestos siding was in very poor shape. But more, the students are mandated by the court to attend the school, and often they are considered, by themselves and others, to be throw away kids, Craddock said in the nomination.

“Those feelings are further instilled in them by the fact that they are forced to attend what looks like a throw away school,” he wrote. “For some of these kids, their only chance to break out of their criminal cycle is an education and an improved self image.”

The officers worked beside students during the project, getting an opportunity to get to know each other in a non-confrontational/non-enforcement environment.

“The improvement of the learning environment and the relationship building will in no doubt have a positive impact on the lives of the at risk youth who attend court school,” he said.

The commission honored Washburn for her leadership of the officers and raising their awareness of the needs of at the AYA site.

In addition to the awards, commission members and guests collected 500 pounds of food for local food banks.