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St. Petersburg Launches Youth Champions Program to Combat Gun Violence

Youth Champions program engaging the community in St. Petersburg

News Summary

In St. Petersburg, FL, a new initiative called the Youth Champions program has received a $35,000 grant to combat teen gun violence. Meeting weekly, the program aims to enhance relationships between teens and law enforcement while providing emotional support. Participants share personal stories to foster community engagement and promote positive interactions. As part of the program, local youth learn to manage their emotions through workshops. The initiative, which is open to all teens, is complemented by an upcoming Rising Stars Midnight Basketball Showcase designed to empower youth through sports.

St. Petersburg, FL has taken a proactive step to address teen gun violence through the Youth Champions program, which recently received a $35,000 grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This funding is aimed at enhancing relationships between teenagers and law enforcement while providing necessary support and opportunities to the youth in South St. Petersburg.

The Youth Champions program meets every Saturday at the Jordan Park apartments community center, gathering teenagers once a month for group discussions that create a secure environment where they can openly discuss their strengths and challenges. This initiative emphasizes the importance of positive interaction between local youth and law enforcement, according to Officer Keith Dunigan from the St. Petersburg Police Department. He emphasized that this kind of interaction is essential, as it contrasts with the typical encounters between police and teens that often occur at crime scenes.

Since its inception in February, the program has provided a platform for teens to learn how to manage their emotions, especially anger, through a partnership with an organization called Mindful Movement Florida. This approach is critical in reducing instances of youth crime, which, according to Zulekah Foulen from the St. Petersburg Police Department, tends to be concentrated in specific neighborhoods, including the area around Jordan Park.

High school senior Cabretti Wheeler Jr. shared personal insights on how the Youth Champions program has positively influenced his life, helping him build confidence and learn to control his ego. Wheeler’s motivation for actively participating in the program stems from his past experiences; his father was murdered in 2008, which has driven him and his family to work towards reducing crime within the community. He expressed pride in the positive impact the program has made on local youth.

The Youth Champions program is inclusive, welcoming all children from various backgrounds, not just those living in Jordan Park. This openness aims to encourage greater participation from the youth in the area, thereby fostering a sense of community. Each month, law enforcement officers engage in activities with the students, further promoting relationship-building and awareness between the two groups.

Wheeler, who is set to graduate high school, has plans to join the military, marking a new chapter in his life that the support from the Youth Champions program has equipped him for. Graduating participants will be honored during the program’s final session on June 28, highlighting the achievements of those involved.

In addition to the Youth Champions program, the St. Petersburg Police are introducing another initiative called the Rising Stars Midnight Basketball Showcase. This upcoming event aims to empower youth through sports, providing mentorship and essential life skills, thus reinforcing the commitment to enriching the lives of young people in the community.

The combination of these programs illustrates a broader strategy within St. Petersburg to engage youth positively and combat violence through constructive avenues that promote personal growth and community involvement.