Churches Prepare to Take On Role In Saving Youth From Gangs Print E-mail
Tuesday, 31 January 2012 20:29 | Written by Daniel Curran

Photo: Aime Taylor of Harvest Ministries.  Photo Credit Larry Dringenberg.

The Newport News Police Department has taken its next step in reducing gang violence by inviting faith leaders from throughout the city to be a part of the effort.

As part of a federally funded program, the Newport News Police Department is working to involve the area churches in the local gang reduction effort. Tuesday, about forty representatives from area churches went to Newport News Police Headquarters for the all day workshop.

"In many of our neighborhoods, you are the most powerful leaders,' Police Chief Fox explained. He continued, "But the problem is, we have been taking the "Shotgun" approach. Everybody doing their own thing, nobody working together. Just scattered. We have got to come together and combine our resources."

 

 

ChiefFox

Photo: Newport News Police Chief James Fox talks to the group. Mayor McKinley Price (background) was a key speaker of the day.


Mayor McKinley Price, one of the day's key speakers, talked to the pastors about his gang initiative program.

One pastor thought using youth to help with a general neighborhood cleanup day would be a good idea; he  asked about getting help from the city. The Mayor told them the City was available to help coordinate; they needed only to call the City Manager's office well in advance of the project. 

Mayor Price was the only member of Newport News City Council present. When James River Journal called several members of City Council to discover the reason for their absence, they replied the Mayor had not informed them of the meeting.

 

 

pastor

Photo: Church leaders study the crime graphs at either end of the room.

A few of the church leaders had no idea of how they could help the community. "We don't live in a crime area."

The police responded by suggesting they sign up for a ride-along in a patrol car. "You might be surprised."

Chief Fox explained one of the best ways to help is by sharing resources such as computer labs and meeting spaces. "The Boy Scouts, the Boys and Girls Clubs, they would love to have access to your meeting rooms. The organizations have been having a difficult time with growth because the public schools now charge for after school meeting space."

He continued, "Who knows, if you open up space to the Boy Scouts, you may first get the boy, then his single parent mom. And now your church membership is growing and you have the opportunity to grow your church while helping the community."

 

GabeMorganBeard

Photo: Sheriff Gabe Morgan sporting a beard.

Sheriff Morgan, as well as Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn, have been active in all of the meetings to date.

 

Aime Taylor

Photo: Aime Taylor of Harvest Ministries.

Harvest Ministries, a York County church led by Neverett Yarbough, regulary comes into the East End of Newport News and buses youth to their church. "We go right into the public housing areas and invite the youth. We play sports with them, we minister to them. Sure we are careful, but we are not afraid."

Aime Taylor (photo) is an active part of the ministry, taking an active role in inviting the youth to church.

 

All photos credit Larry Dringenberg.

 

Read related stories:

Is An Old-Fashioned Revival the East Ends Answer to Gang Problems?

East End Drug Dealers to Receive a Second Chance on Life

Police Keep Their Word While Church Leaders Continue to Collect Money

Drug Dealers Accept Invitation to Start New Life.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 18:25
 

Comments  

 
#12 Jermaine Mcphatter 2012-02-03 14:50
This is a GREAT!! solution to end Gang Violence, the City need to Fix up the parks and play Grounds I have been a Resident in Newport News for Over 20 yrs. and to see our Parks Look like this is a shame the kids need better parks, New Programs and Up grade the Outreach Centers U right Cousin ( Randy Darden) The murder has drop 57% and it feels good to hear peace and Quiet in the Neighborhoods so continue to Keep up the Great Work i want to be Active in the Movement, I have Lost alot of friends due to Negative Acts and it Hurt to lose a friend or friends So wht ever we got to do as a Strong community to keep it together I'm all for it, Support the Cause!!!!!! ATTENTION ALL Organizations....... STOP GANG VIOLENCE!!!!!!!
 
 
#11 Bill 2012-02-02 21:12
Two of the worst things that has happened to Newport News,is Mckinley Price and Gabe Morgan. Both are nothing but empty promises. That's the only reason poor ole Rob Coleman is running for council, to become one of the Mayors "YES MEN".
 
 
#10 Renita Parker 2012-02-02 20:33
I agree with all of the other comments, and I know from experience that the Mayor and his "good ole boys" are trying to exclude certain organizations that serve and are located in the East End, especially those who do not support their agenda for a "ridiculous football field". Bottom line is "they really don't care about the East End nor anyone who lives in it or tries to make it better". Dan, keep up the good work!
 
 
#9 Tasha Reilly 2012-02-02 18:39
I have worked with young adults for close to 25 yrs. You will note I said adult, not adolescent. With being a young adult comes responsibility. That should be taught at home,in the school, and in the church. Until you involve the parent, the young person cannot be fixed, as the home environment is the first place for the youth. Young adults need to know they have value and worth, and can be more each day. This does not happen with the dirty politics and arrogance and self absorption of someone like Price. Price is solely out for himself and his friends and wants to be seen as personally "fixing" the City. It is downright shameful Price did not notify City Council.

A one time event does not help a young adult. Being visible, being available, being in the community, offering an active listening ear, role modeling, day in day out, that makes the difference. Best Kept Secret, is a good beginning.

Hopefully, Price will be a one term mayor.
 
 
#8 Rasheed N Wyatt 2012-02-02 16:53
I think the fact that Mayor Price has decided not to involve the Council speaks to a fatal flaw in his ability to lead or lack thereof. A colleague using their intellectual capacity to reason against a particular issue and rightly so (as it relates to $300K for a ball field)shouldn’t warrant their isolation, disrespect or efforts to have them unseated from Council. I thought politics was about consensus and persuasion not dictation. In addition it is unfortunate that the Mayor and his followers have decided not include the Best Kept Secret in their efforts to eliminate violence. The Best Kept Secret are an honorable and hard working group who have been very successful in reaching the Boyz in the hood. They have shown themselves worthy of the challenge and for them not to be embraced shows a level of disrespect which is shameful…. The efforts to stop violence is neither clinical or adminstrative it's real hands on and they have shown a caring
 
 
#7 Terry Riddick 2012-02-02 13:02
Good job Daniel Curran on the Read related stories a joke I see!
 
 
#6 Randy Darden 2012-02-02 11:38
Sheriff Morgan was not at the first meeting NAACP and Best Kept Secret Stop the Violence was there but what happen to there follow up that Chief Fox and Commonwealth Attorney Howard Gwynn saided that they were going to construct. No communication with the community of the South Eastern District.
 
 
#5 Randy Darden 2012-02-02 10:47
Ms. Talor and Don Creatts I forgive cause u don't understand. Our studies show that children who do not get the early intervention, permanence and stability they need are more likely to act out and fail in school because they lack the skills necessary to succeed. Children in the most ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED COMMUNITIES ARE AT HIGH RISK OF LOW ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTAINMENT AND ARE OFTEN STUCK IN under-funded, over-crowded schools. POOR URBAN SCHOOLS HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBERS OF inexperienced teachers which is the same path you are undertaking. Let the Police do it's job Don't put innocent people in the way!!!!Thank You and God Bless Us All
 
 
#4 Randy Darden 2012-02-02 10:29
I'm finding that to be so true. I don't understand why. They complain, we come with a solution and they shy away from it. Its sad. And as you are considering doing, you begin to look outside of your communities to help those that will appreciate and welcome with open arms what you are doing to improve their communities. Our local government, city and state officials need to push harder to support and show support. Your communities are only as good as its leaders!
 
 
#3 Don Creatts 2012-02-01 19:03
Aime, you are smoking hot! Keep up the good work.
 
 
#2 Aime Talor 2012-02-01 18:11
The name of the church is actually Harvest Ministries where Neverett Yarbough is Senior Pastor. I believe Faith can change community. Hey, crime is down.
 
 
#1 Randy Darden 2012-01-31 22:34
Where is the East End Community? Communication is the key the Best Kept Secret Stop the Violence a gang initiative program and they are always in the communities making a difference in there 5 years of running the murder have drop 57% in the City of Newport News. It takes a village to raise a child, one or two organization can't do it. Revival with no experience on gang violence? We are talking about gang violence people not Sunday school. A meeting without the community unbelieveable!!!!
 

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