Livingstone College
In an effort to teach kids about gangs and the violence associated with them, Livingstone College officials are hosting a seminar Saturday in Varick Auditorium titled “Better Choices 4 A Better Life: 2009 Say No to Gang Violence.”
The event, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Gang Prevention Study at Livingstone that aims to help steer kids away from gangs and back into the classroom.
Gov. Beverly Perdue praised the program during an Aug. 28 appearance in Salisbury for “Seamless Solutions to Urban Crime,” a N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition summit aimed at finding ways to reduce gang violence.
Perdue said the program is effective because it works with at-risk children as well as their parents while incorporating education as a key component.
Last semester, Livingstone students tutored students at Knox Middle School.
“Livingstone College is using federal money to reach out to at-risk kids in the community,” Perdue said. “These are kids who need to stay out of trouble.”
Last semester, Livingstone students tutored students at Knox Middle School and sponsored a national motivational group, The Power Team, to come to Knox Middle School and present an anti-gang message.
And Perdue noted that as part of the program, college President Jimmy Jenkins and Livingstone, in partnership with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, are running a GED program to give youths who drop out of school a second chance, especially if those who were in gangs.
“What he’s doing at Livingstone College is building a better citizen, civic engagement. He’s helping the parents learn to read and write, to be better parents,” Perdue said. “I’m real proud of Livingstone College. I’m real proud of Jimmy … an example of what’s happening in communities all over the state.”
The governor said she hopes the Livingstone program will become a model for other colleges and universities throughout the state.
Saturday’s event begins at 4 p.m. and will feature door prizes, said Ginger Cartwright, who provides legal counsel for Livingstone and is director of the Gang Prevention Study. Larry Suber, a motivational speaker, mentor, minister and author, will deliver the keynote address.
Livingstone’s Gang Prevention Study has been up and running since February. Its mission is to provide the necessary tools and training to enable Rowan County youth organizations to extend their reach and influence with regard to gang participation.
The work Livingstone College is doing to combat the problem of gang violence, in partnership with Rowan Cabarrus Community College, comes at a critical time in North Carolina. According to Perdue, more than 12,000 youth belong to more than 900 gangs statewide.
Cartwright said she’s excited about Saturday’s seminar and hopes to have a huge turnout.
“Gang violence is not a problem just in one particular population,” Cartwright said. “It’s a problem that affects all communities, either directly or indirectly. Many of the kids who find themselves in gangs probably would never have entertained the thought of joining one if they had received just a little more guidance and support either at home, in school or both.
“Our goal at Livingstone College, and the goal of Saturday’s event, is to help children realize there are healthy alternatives to joining gangs. Kids, like adults, want to feel a sense of belonging. We understand that. We just don’t want them to belong to gangs.”
Registration is not required to attend Saturday’s event. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.