Global Courant
MEMPHIS – Cities across the U.S. have reported an increase in crimes committed by minors over the past year. The offenses include everything from carjacking and robbery to gang involvement, and a well-known group of pastors in Memphis, Tennessee wants to make a difference.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Memphis Chapter launched the Youth Violence Intervention Love Initiative this summer. The program aims to provide children with a safe environment to learn social skills, leadership and teamwork, rather than getting into trouble.
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“We have so much juvenile delinquency in our city, across the country.” said SCLC Memphis Chapter president Rev. Walter Womack.
Pastor Womack at his church’s juvenile crime prevention program (Fox news)
For Pastor Womack, launching this program was personal.
“I messed up before and someone gave me another chance. Someone contacted me, ‘Hey, this is a better way, you can do it this way.’ That person’s encouraging word inspired me. So we have to inspire these young children.” said Reverend Womack.
The National Police Association says the recent increase in violent teen crime, especially in major cities, is extremely concerning. Underage crime tends to get worse in the summer.
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“We see a lot of physical assaults, we see a lot of drug activity, we see a lot of high end burglaries,” said National Police Association spokesman Sgt. Betty Smith. “A youth who has nothing to do can drift into illegal activities, whether by accident or on purpose, and an unoccupied youth is more vulnerable to things like street gangs and other criminal activity.” said Sgt. Blacksmith.
Law enforcement officials are concerned that juvenile delinquency will get even worse this summer (Fox news)
The children of the Memphis Youth Crime Prevention Program play outdoor games, listen to motivational speakers, pray, and get advice.
“I think the key is to show them love, even to those who have made a mess, even to those who have committed a crime. We are not here to judge them. We are trying to reach out and rehabilitate them …to let them know there is a better way, that they don’t have to resort to a life of crime.” said Reverend Womack.
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Children from the Memphis Juvenile Crime Prevention Program play games (Fox news)
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Pastor Womack now notices that the children are more excited and that they communicate better. He says he wants these kids to look back on the campand know that it steered them in the right direction.
“I would like them to have that testimony, and then it would have a domino effect in our country.” said Reverend Womack.
This program is completely free for all children who want to participate, and it even includes lunch. Pastor Womack hopes to expand the program in the future, and the church’s program is also starting to go mobile, going out to places like parks, basketball courts, and more.
Madison Scarpino joined Fox News in 2022 as a multimedia reporter based in St. Louis.
