By Lisa Gattie, CP Correspondent
The Oxford Mt. Zion Baptist Church (OMZBC), along with local businesses, will host a Stop the Violence Event at their future site, 25215 Zion Road in Ruther Glen, on Saturday at noon. This free event, a first for OMZBC, promises to bring awareness of teen and gang violence in the community and information on prevention and collaboratio
n techniques while fostering advocacy and unity.
“We have to come together to provide more resources to our youth,” states Gary Tre’ Taylor, the Young Adult President of Remnant Young Adult Ministry. “We need to allow our youth to believe that they can achieve anything in this world and not have to turn to violence.”
According to Virginia.gov, the Virginia juvenile arrest rate for violent crime in 2011 was 110 per 100,000 youths aged 10-17, which is below the U.S. average. In addition, the juvenile intake rate, or youths that are brought to a Court Service Unit has also steadily declined to 52.8 per 1000 youth in 2013. Despite this positive trend, there is still plenty communities can do to help these numbers continually decrease.
Taylor emphasizes the need for additional positive outlets for youth, including internships and apprenticeships, and more of a priority placed on education infrastructure and additional community resources. Taylor is ardent about keeping the minds of youth challenged and engaged by exposing them to different elements of learning, allowing them to be creative.
“This event is about promoting these outlets,” states Taylor, “and to let youth know that they do not need to engage in these types of negative behaviors.”
According to a 2012 report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 180,000 people die from violence and injuries each year-nearly 1 person every 5 minutes. In addition, school based programs designed to prevent violent behavior has been shown to cut violent behavior 29% among high school students and 15 percent across grade levels. This Stop the Violence event is designed to have the same positive impact as these programs.
“It requires us all to intentionally meet together as leaders, irrespective of background, race, culture, or denominational affiliation,” states OMZBC Minister Kevin Pleasants Jr. “Thankfully many churches are already connected, and we believe that the church network in Caroline will only strengthen.”
Speakers will talk about teen and gang violence using personal experiences. There will also be music and dancing, a small business corner, basketball, and a car show.
“I personally believe in simply having a good relationship with people,” states Pleasants. “It’s important, especially to youth and young adults, to be relevant and transparent.”
Taking nearly a year to plan, this event is launched from ideas initiated by Pastor Duane T. Fields Sr. and members of The Remnant Young Adult Ministry, and an overall collaborative effort of Kevin Pleasants Jr., Mary Pleasants, Keanon Boddie, Cierra Mobley, Duane Fields Jr., Ryan Jackson, Brandon Lee, Kenny Bundy and Shauniece Jackson.
“To be powered by the Remnant is to be led and supported by a group of misfits who are empowered to make a change,” states Taylor when explaining the name of his ministry. “The Young Adult Team is the leadership group of the Remnant Young Adult Ministry, a rapidly growing and evolving function of OMZBC.”
“Ultimately we need to love and support our youth more so they can go out and make a change in the world,” states Taylor.
“We are the examples that the next generation has to base their lives on,” states Pleasants. “Doesn’t get much deeper than that!”