lune 8, 2011
43ortlauh (Obstruer
Page 17
Unity in the Community Confronts Gangs
Adult volunteers develop action plan for at-risk youth
C ari H achmann
T he P ortland O bserver
by
Reaching out to curb the erup­
tion of gang violence, local pastors
and volunteers from the church
community have unfolded a new
effort to make themselves present
to at-risk youth with a four step
action plan: Be there, care, share
and prayer.
“Gang members are no less hu­
man, they cling to a sense of family
and b e lo n g in g ,” says R obert
Richardson who runs a transitional
program at Em m anuel Tem ple
Church for former gang members
and parolees returning home from
prison.
Richardson, as part of a larger
community effort called “Unity in
the Community,” recognizes the
need to make a visible adult pres­
ence in the lives of at-risk youth,
especially in places where gang-
activity is most likely to occur.
Launched by pastors of several
P hoto by C ari H achmann /T he P ortland O bserver
churches, the group hopes to de­ Robert Richardson, program director at Emmanuel Community
velop a better physical and emo­ Services in north Portland, is a volunteer for Unity in the Commu­
tional bond with at-risk youth.
nity, an anti-gang outreach by adults to reach at-risk youth.
The first action plan calls for a
visible presence at high-risk areas
by mobilizing 100 volunteers who
would each commit to foot patrol 45
minutes each week for a year.
The group has started patrols at
Holladay Park, the location where
14-teen-year old Shiloh Hampton
was shot and killed, making attempts
to interrupt gang activity and en­
gage with youth in a positive way.
The second step in the effort
aims at having a more connected
presence with youth by providing
one-on-one m entorships. Third,
brings the development of counsel­
ing and family support actions, and
finally, prayer for the community.
“Young people, I think are mis­
understood,” said PastorC.T. Wells
of Emmanuel Temple and a leader of
Unity in the Community. Wells said
when there is no communication
with youth they become further
separated and disenfranchised from
the core of society.
In a vacuum of insecurity and
uncertainty, new gang recruits find
themselves drawn to gangs when
there is no stronger system to deter
them, said Richardson.
As law enforcement makes it
tougher for kids with guns to oper­
ate on the street, the gang outreach
and church community members
hope they can do their part to pre­
vent further violence from destroy­
ing lives, young and old.
Unity in the Community invites
local residents and potential volun­
teers to their first meeting on Friday,
June 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Life
Change Christian Center, 3635 N.
Williams Ave.
ASE Certified Tech
Jason Sharp
8804 SE Stark St.
Portland,Or 97203
Phone # 503-517-0950
BUSINESSDirectory
uble J Tir
Make the 'SHARP" decision! Pick us for all your automotive needs!
Providing Insurance and financial Services
New & Used Tires
Overstock & Used Tires
$ 1 5 & u p PRICED TO SELL
All tires mounted & blanched on
the car, out the d o o r- no additives.
Free stock wheels w / purchase of
any new or used tire-
limited to stock on hand
SHARP AUTOMOTIVE
State Farm *
30
years in business
Horne Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61/10
Unique Food
Venders Wanted
Ernest J. Hill, Jr.
Agent
4946 N Vancouver Avenue. Portland, OR 9/21/
503 2861103 fax 503 286 1146
erme.hill h5mb@statefami com
24 Hour Good Neighbor Service®
2 locations to Serve You
STAU »A I«
6841 NE MLK, Portland
503-283-9437
i.oo TEES
CLUBS
FAMILY REUNIONS
SCHOOLCLUBS
BUSINESSES
SCREEN PRINTINGS
fo r a Large Food and Music Festival in
Vancouver ’s Popular Esther Short Park
For more information
go to TheFullPlatePicnic.com
4510 SE 5 2 nd & Holgate
503-762-6042
971-570-8214
503-771-1834
or contact Joycelyn Kelly
email :eventscoordinator@ rosconfoundation.org
Phone: 360-263-3995
State Farm*
C lassified
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
R I • ■ I A II R A N I
B a r b e q u e P it R ib s &
Aaron Mitchell
Plumbing
Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
Beef
Since 1957
Enjoy our Great Food
and Casual. Friendly Ambiance
M orning into early evening
Michael E Harper
Agent
Plumber: Quinn Davis
507 N Shaver St.
Portland, Oregon 97227
(503) 891-6894
Business Number
(503) 287-1395
aaron da vis l@msn.com
Tuesday- Thursday
10:00 a,m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 7:00
I. ii Parker
(503) 281-8696
3217 N. Williams Avenue
Portland, Oregon 9722 7
We moved to
our new location:
9713 S.W. Capitol, Portland, OR
503-221-3050
Fax 503-227-8757
0
PORT OF PORTLAND
Possibility. In every direction.™
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The Port of Portland is a regional governm ent operating airports,
m arine te rm in a ls and in d u s tria l parks in the g reate r Portland
m etropolitan area, to fulfill its mission o f providing com petitive cargo
and passenger access to world markets while enhancing the region's
quality of life.
To view current jo b openings and to access the application form,
visit the Port’s w ebsite at w w w .portofportland.com or call the job
hotline at (503) 4 1 5-6 002 .
The Port of Portland is an AA/EEO employer com m itted to workforce
diversity and affirm ative action.