This year’s event gathered children in the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Chambers for a special mock BCC hearing. The hearing discussed the possibility of a new park. Children were also able to participate in various activities planned by each division.
“As public servants, your mom or dad work very hard to keep our County running effectively and efficiently, while also ensuring that the needs of our citizens are met,” Mayor Jacobs said during her remarks. “What they do has an impact on everyone who lives in our community. And, their hard work and dedication are a big part of what makes Orange County the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
The purpose of this event is to provide students with a firsthand look at local government in action and how it positively impacts our society. The Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work program is intended to go beyond the average practice of “shadowing” an adult. The main goal is to expose children to what their mom or dad does throughout the average workday, showing them the value of hard work and education.
Orange County District 6 Commissioner Victoria P. Siplin welcomed participants, provided an overview of the local government process and how the BCC operates.
After the mock hearing, Mayor Jacobs spoke about her “Let’s Read” initiative, a partnership between Orange County Government, the Orange County Public Library System, the Orange County Citizens’ Commission for Children and Just 1 Book aimed at improving literacy and providing library cards to all Orange County residents. Children had the opportunity to sign up for library cards and learn more about Just 1 Book, a charity that collects and distributes books to children, including Orange County’s Head Start programs and other community organizations.
