Sense of Accomplishment and Hope Grows Among JCY Youth
Jun 22nd, 2009
The first project for the nine members of the Safe & Sound Crime Strategy Initiative youth group at Cudahy YMCA was a screening of a locally made documentary collaborating with Public Allies and Stand Together Milwaukee. The youth and community residents assembled watched the story ”Dear Rita” which begins with aftermath of a young girl’s death from gun violence. A story that showed her best friend crying. A story that illustrated and highlighted the pain a family now faced. A story that was true and from right here in Milwaukee. Teary red faces and questions were left after the movie. “Why didn’t she duck?” was a question asked. “Because she didn’t even know that the bullet was there until she was dead,” someone responded. The nine youth leaders also put together performances and provided the MC for the event. All of the participants assembled a paper chain then symbolically broke the chain of violence at the end of their performance.
Their work with Stephanie Paul of Safe & Sound and the Crime Strategy Initiative has evolved into plans for a two week summer camp focusing on non-violence among youth. Moreover, the youth leaders have spoken and performed for other Safe Places across Milwaukee. Overall, the effort has provided a sense of hope for these young leaders, and tangible steps towards their goal of reducing violence in their community.
