The Peacekeepers program was founded by Mr. Terrell “Terray” Rogers and Mr. Demetrius Williams, childhood friends who grew up in the Double Rock (aka Alice Griffith) housing developments in Bayview Hunters Point. these men had an epiphany that the youth, who are both victims and perpetrators of the community’s decay, must take responsibility to restore the morality, hope, and vitality to Bayview Hunters Point.
In the midst of one of the most violent years in San Francisco’s history, where over 20 young men from Bayview Hunters Point were murdered in the first 5 months of 2002, Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Williams organized the first Bayview Hunters Point Neighborhood Conference on Crime Prevention. The focus of the conference was to integrate the efforts of the community, the police, Housing Authority, various city departments and elected officials in order to curb the violence in Bayview Hunters Point. After the conference, Mr. Williams and Mr. Rodgers sponsored various events for youth to promote peace and unity throughout the community. In addition, they are often called upon by members of various “turfs” to quell conflicts that could erupt into “turf wars.”
Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Williams have been recognized by law enforcement agencies, politicians, and the youth who are immersed in street life as “Peacekeepers.” As a result, the San Francisco Housing Authority, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, and the Neighborhood Safety Partnership rallied around them to formerly establish the Peacekeepers as a viable entity operating out of the Double Rock housing developments in Bayview Hunters Point. In January of 2003, the GIRLS 2000 agency aka The Hunters Point Family became the fiscal sponsor for the Peacekeepers.
The Peacekeepers target population is young adults (16-25), residing in the Alice Griffith housing developments that have been in contact or are at “high risk” of coming in contact with the criminal justice system.
Peacekeepers was designed to provide comprehensive case management, educational, enrichment, employment, and support services to “at-risk” and “high-risk” youth living in the Alice Griffith public housing and surrounding Bayview Hunters Point community. Peacekeepers participants are mentored to utilize their creative abilities and leadership qualities to benefit their community instead of destroying it. They are provided with social support so their issues and needs are addressed, they are able to access employment opportunities so that will have the ability to support themselves, and they learn conflict resolution and communication skills to enhance their problem solving abilities without resorting to violence. Most importantly, they receive recognition for their accomplishments from the community, so they will not seek acknowledgement from their peers through destructive means. Participants are expected to develop their leadership abilities and apply them to uplifting their peers and working to facilitate a safe environment for their families and neighbors.
Current services and activities include arts and technology workshops and projects, academic tutoring, therapeutic group and individual counseling, career mentoring, outings, cooking classes, health and nutrition education, recreation, community gardening and beautification, entrepreneurial training & opportunities, employment, and life skills workshops. In addition to the above serves, the Peacekeepers specializes in delinquency and gang prevention services to “at-risk” and “high-risk” youth and young adults living in the Alice Griffith housing developments.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Slain_activists_vision_of_peace_lives_on.html
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