The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center will participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration’s March for Justice and Peace, organized by the City of Natchitoches and the Northwestern State University Center for Inclusion & Diversity.
On January 18th at 11 a.m., marchers will assemble at the NSU Campus on the corner of University Parkway and Caspari street. The march begins at noon and ends at the Legacy Café where lunch will be available for purchase.
The purposes of this march are to recognize the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, and promote justice and peace in the community. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” Participation in this march speaks to the BDJ Centers commitment to the pursuit of justice and peace for all in the City of Natchitoches.
On Monday, Jan. 18, The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center is re-opening the Legacy Café located at 441 North St. The Café is the social enterprise business of the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center and the hands-on training environment for participants in the Legacy Youth Workforce Development Program. The LYWDP serves young adults ages 17-24 who are out of work and school. Participants learn culinary and life skills while receiving support in removing barriers from their path to successful employment. The next cohort is being recruited and classes are scheduled to start in February.
“We are pleased to support young people in Natchitoches as they build life skills and pursue sustainable employment. We appreciate all the support from the community to keep these programs going,” said Claire Prymus, Founder and Board Chair.
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Founded by Claire Prymus in honor of her late uncle, the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to build community in Natchitoches and give access to social and economic success for all of its residents.