Thank you for joining us for 2024 Juneteenth Celebration!

If you would like to see the results for the 2024 Juneteenth 5K, click here.

At Gateway Woods, we are committed to celebrating the spirit of Juneteenth with our at-risk youth community. Our mission is to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and honor their resilience while fostering a sense of belonging, empowerment, and cultural pride among our young participants.

About Juneteenth:

Juneteenth is a blend of the two words "June" and "Nineteenth," and is now an official Federal Holiday in the United States. This day honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States after the end of the Civil War. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation took place, it wasn't until nearly two and a half years later that those enslaved in Texas were actually freed, once federal troops arrived to ensure it.

Through this Juneteenth celebration, we aim to provide a platform for education, reflection, and engagement, promoting awareness of the historical significance of Juneteenth and its relevance to contemporary social justice movements. By offering enriching activities, discussions, and performances rooted in faith-based values, we seek to inspire hope, unity, and positive transformation in the lives of our youth.

About LARC:

The Juneteenth Celebration is hosted by LARC. LARC stands for “Linking to Attain Responsibility & Community”, and is a department within Gateway Woods committed to working alongside older youth who age out of the foster care and residential system.

We believe that by embracing the legacy of Juneteenth, we can empower our at-risk youth to recognize their inherent worth, amplify their voices, and contribute meaningfully to creating a more equitable and inclusive society. Together, let us commemorate Juneteenth with reverence, joy, and a shared commitment to justice, healing, and community upliftment.

Visit our LARC page to learn more about what we do.