IMPACT Academy
In 2019 Officer Jay Farmer and Cpl. Jessica Thorlacius created a summer program for Middle School students called the GFPD IMPACT Academy. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Partnership, Accountability, Community and Tenacity. Our goal is to help create leaders and role models in our community. We want our kids to build skills that help them to mature into successful adults. We plan to do this by helping our students to be active, contributing members of our community. By seeing the impact that they can make, in a positive way, it will help them be more responsible with their decisions.
We keep busy with a variety of different activities throughout the summer, including bike riding, swimming, volunteering, gardening, safety lessons, and a concluding trip to the Character Challenge Course in Park Rapids, MN. The Grand Forks Park District generously provided free passes to Choice Health and Fitness, as well as the outdoor pools. They allow us to use the Blue Line Club Arena as our “Home Base” for the summer, which is where we start and end each day. Cities Area Transit also generously provides each student with a bus pass, which they use all summer. We spend a lot of time on bicycles, and have some that can be borrowed, if your child doesn’t have access to one. Safe Kids also be provides each student with a free helmet, and we conduct some initial safety lessons with all students at the program. We eat our lunches in the park each day, which are provided for free by St. Joseph’s Social Care. As a way to give back, students help to prepare and serve those lunches as well. We take a trip to the Character Challenge Course in Park Rapids, MN, which is paid for by the Fraternal Order of Police. Our Academy wouldn’t look complete without matching shirts, which are provided by Gemini Custom Brands.
Our program was canceled in 2020, due to COVID-19. This has given us an opportunity to focus on making 2021 an amazing summer! We have also been selected as the recipients of the 2021 Rydell Car and Bike Show funds, which will help us to make sure the IMPACT Academy is better than ever!
If you have a Middle School student that would be interested in participating in the IMPACT Academy, please have them speak with their School Resource Officer (SRO). You can also reach Officer Farmer and Cpl. Thorlacius by phone or email.
Officer Jay Farmer
jfarmer@grandforksgov.com
701-215-4413
Cpl. Jessica Thorlacius
jthorlacius@grandforksgov.com
701-740-8079
Learn More: Grand Forks Impact Academy
The Grand Forks Impact Academy – Moving Forward
Rydell Cars is pleased to announce that Grand Forks Police Department IMPACT Academy will be this year’s recipient of the 15th Annual Rydell Car and Bike Show Charity Event. The Rydell Annual Charity Benefit Car & Bike Show is a time for the Rydell “family” to give back to the community they are proud to be part of.
Each year, the Rydell employees vote on a local charity that will be the beneficiary of the charity event. 100% of all money donated at the show goes to the chosen charity including a Rydell company match of up to $40,000. No money is taken out to cover the expenses of the show. Since 2007 the Rydell Car and Bike Show Charity Event has raised $835,426.67 for local organizations.
Update:
For the health and safety of our team members, our customers and our community, we have decided to postpone the Rydell 15th Annual Benefit Car and Bike Show. We look forward to seeing you at our show next year on September 19, 2021.
Subsequently, all vehicle registrations will automatically be applied and transferred to next year’s event dates. The Grand Forks Police Impact Academy will be next years benefactor.
Thank you.
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