In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we welcome special guest Jamal K. Givens, CEO of the Liberty Partnership Kino Neighborhoods Council (LPKNC), an important community partner to the Sunnyside Unified School District. Jamal shares how LPKNC provides critical education and prevention programming for students and families, with a strong focus on preventing the use and misuse of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs, while also promoting mental wellness, suicide prevention, and the avoidance of juvenile delinquency. Through quality programming, youth-adult partnerships, and community mobilization, LPKNC empowers young people and families to build healthier, drug-free communities.

Deeply rooted in Tucson’s southside, LPKNC was formed when two long-standing coalitions, Liberty Partnership and Kino Neighborhoods, came together during the 2011–2012 school year to strengthen their shared mission. In 2018, under Jamal Givens’ leadership, LPKNC became its own nonprofit organization, continuing its commitment to uniting residents, organizations, and agencies around community voice and collective action. Tune in to hear how this impactful organization is fostering hope, resilience, and opportunity for Sunnyside students, families, and neighborhoods.