Newburgh - It’s not business as usual in the many living rooms and conference rooms in the City of Newburgh since the untimely deaths of two young men last month. Community-based agencies, clergy, concerned citizens, and city officials and staff called for an end to the violence. They have come together to hold strategy meetings, which will continue throughout the summer with the goal of cooling tensions and establishing a new direction for our city’s youth.
"In order to help keep our young people safe, we must create a lasting change in the way they interact with each other, and with the community," said City Manager Jean-Ann McGrane. "We are very proud of the many community members who have volunteered to help bring about this change, by sponsoring positive activities for youth, or by simply letting our young people know they care."
This message was loud and clear at the recent Department of Human Services Youth Bureau sponsored "Measure of a Man" conference, which 150 young men and their fathers or other positive role models attended. Motivational speaker Raphael Johnson, a physical trainer, and community organizer from Detroit told the story of the worst decision he ever made, which cost the life of an innocent man, earning him more than 11 years in prison. Johnson also outlined a strategy for increasing visibility of caring and concerned men on the street corners, not policing, but making themselves available as positive role models for young people without father figures in their lives.
In response, 20 local men signed up to implement this strategy on the streets of the City of Newburgh. These men are spending several hours three days a week to walk the streets, engage youth and adults, share information about city programs and resources. They have been warmly received by the community and are forming a strong bond amongst themselves as well.
Sponsoring activities for youth and their families is another way the City is working to keep the community safer. The City, in cooperation with community-based organizations held two very successful events recently. Three hundred people attended Community Unity Day in Audrey Carey Park and the Puerto Rican Day Family Heritage Festival in Delano Hitch Park, spearheaded by the City of Newburgh Department of Human Services, drew 600 people.
Maritza Wilson said of the latter event, "I thank God first for a successful event and the City of Newburgh for supporting me in helping make The Puerto Rican Day Family Heritage Festival a safe and fun event for the entire family." She went on to thank Father Bill (William Scafidi) of St. Mary’s Church for his generosity and her team who helped create the event: Jeanette Sanchez, Omari Shakur, Courtney Kain & Mirna Sanchez.
City Manager Jean-Ann McGrane stated to Ms. Wilson, "In a short period of time, you and your team managed to pull together a fun and safe event that we could all be proud."
More events are planned as summer progresses. For more information, or to share your ideas on positive ways to engage youth and their parents, please contact the Department of Human Services at 565-1213, ext. 7012.
