Press Room

Leaders: Mentors will help stop youth crime
Annapolis considers starting Kids at Hope program

By Lisa Beisel, Staff Writer

Spurred by a spate of teen violence, including two recent violent crimes, Annapolis activists are focusing on positive adult involvement in youth's lives as a way to prevent teens from getting involved in crime.

Some city leaders hope to bring in a program called Kids at Hope, which focuses on kids' positive attributes and encourages them to learn in their own ways.

Church and community leaders packed into City Hall this week to talk about how to help teens and young adults stay on the right path, after two Annapolis High School students were recently involved in violent crimes.

One crime was in March, when 17-year-old Kwame Johnson was shot and killed in Robinwood. Another was last week, and a 15-year-old boy has been charged with the attempted murder of a man in Eastport.

After that shooting, residents and police stressed the need for teens and children to have positive influences on their lives.

"Children succeed when they are surrounded by people who believe they can succeed," said Tony Spencer, the coordinator for city Human Services.

Mr. Spencer was one of three Annapolis representatives to attend a recent workshop on the Kids at Hope program in Phoenix. The program encourages adults to be supportive and caring and requires a change in belief system. Every child can learn, no exceptions, the program emphasizes.

Kids at Hope, a play on the frequently-used phrase "kids at risk," started in a troubled school in Phoenix and has had great success, he said. Kids who once had disciplinary problems were leading workshop attendees through the school.

The program challenges teachers and parents to look for positive aspects in each child, and to focus on those, rather than on their challenges.

For example, instead of focusing on a child's weakness, an adult could focus on the child's creativity, and talk to the child about ways to use that strength in a positive way.

In August, Rick Miller, one of the program founders, will come to Annapolis to give several workshops on Kids at Hope. Workshops target parents, educators and community leaders - "anyone in the chain of educating a child," Mr. Spencer said.

The workshops will be free of charge to the city. The program will also help pay for training to get the program started.

So far, it is unclear how much the program will cost and when it might be put in place into schools.

The Rev. Sheryl Menendez, an associate pastor at Light of the World Church in Annapolis, also attended the informational workshop.

The Rev. Menendez rallied religious leaders together after the March 16 death of Mr. Johnson.

Since then, she has held peace walks in Robinwood where the shooting happened, has organized a community adoption program in which pastors adopt troubled communities, and she plans a Stop the Violence Walk through the city later this month.

"One murder is too many, and we won't tolerate any more," she said.

Alderman Sam Shropshire, who organized the meeting this week, said he supports a focus on mentoring. Having caring adults in his own life was crucial, he said.

His father died when he was only 3 months old, and his mother worked to take care of the four children. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tate would take Mr. Shropshire with them when they went on trips, and treated him as a member of their family.

"It changed my life ... ," he said. "You can change lives and we can change the city."

Mayor Ellen O. Moyer said that the effort would take total community involvement.

"I believe that every resident has a stake in supporting young people," she said.

Attendees discussed youth programs that the city already has, and other programs that are sponsored by churches and other groups.

Archie Trader, representing the city Recreation and Parks Department, said the department offers a lot of programs for kids and teens, including reading and after-school programs, chess and baking classes.

In partnership with the Housing Authority, the department plans to start a teen basketball league that will play in Robinwood over the summer.

Published May 10, 2008 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2008 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.