City Of Hollywood Launches Multiple Events: Community Court, Launch Your SPARK, Mardi Gras Street Festival & Black History Month Celebration

“This is the third community court now operating in Broward County,” says Chief Judge Jack Tuter. “The Court wishes to thank Mayor Levy and the Hollywood City Commission for their assistance in getting the Court off the ground.”

Community Court participants will be held accountable for their conduct, via community service, while also receiving access to one-on-one assistance and referrals to available resources, therapies, and opportunities to help them.

“When you are out on the street it’s hard to know what services are available to you, let alone how to gain access,” says Judge Corey Cawthon. “So, when individuals come here, they really are appreciative of the help they receive.”

Community Court is a collaborative effort between the 17th Circuit, the City of Hollywood, Broward County, Broward County Clerk of Courts, the Law Office of the Public Defender, the Public Defender assigned to Hollywood, the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, Broward County Sheriff, and several service and treatment providers, including Henderson Behavioral Health, The Caring Place-Broward Outreach Center, TaskForce For Ending Homelessness, Memorial Healthcare System and James Club Recovery.

“Community Court will play an important role in the City’s efforts to connect people experiencing homelessness with the services they need, while addressing the underlying issues,” says Ryon Coote, the Community Development Division Manager for the City of Hollywood.

“I am grateful for the partnership that our Judicial Circuit has formed with us,” says Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy. “The Community Court will hold individuals accountable, but also will provide them with an opportunity to access the help they need to break the cycle and move forward to recovery and life off the street.”

The initiative is funded by a 4-year, $532,305 Grant under the Community Courts Initiative, a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Center for Justice Innovation.

“The Court thanks Judges Corey Cawthon, and Florence Barner for their service in getting this Court operational,” says Chief Judge Tuter. Community Court will be held every other Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Caring Place-Broward Outreach Center located at 2056 Scott Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020.

Black History Month Celebration
Hollywood’s African American Advisory Council is hosting an event on Thursday, February 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. The program will include a fashion show, dance performances, drumming, poetry and more.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center is located at 2400 Charleston Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020.

Launch Your SPARK
The City of Hollywood Office of Communications, Marketing and Economic Development and the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce have partnered to present Launch Your SPARK, a panel discussion on leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies for your business.

There will be a panel discussion on leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies for your business. The event will take place on Thursday, February 22nd at 6 p.m. at the ArtsPark at Young Circle, 1 Young Circle, Downtown Hollywood, Florida 33020.

Mardi Gras Street Festival
“Let the Good Times Roll” as South Florida’s largest Mardi Gras celebration returns to Downtown Hollywood on Sunday, February 25th, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. This family friendly event will feature a 2nd Line Processional, live music and entertainment, plenty of beads, artisan vendors, children’s activities such as inflatables, face painting, The main event takes place along Hollywood Boulevard’s business district, a few minutes walk from Arts Park.