VIDEO: Youth leaders gather to organize for community safety

Community safety isn’t just about the police, or about Block Watches. It’s also about individual community members, of all ages. Youth leaders included. As part of the city’s Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, one of its partner agencies, West Seattle-based Southwest Youth and Family Services presented a gathering on Wednesday afternoon at High Point Community Center.

It involved ideas, and suggestions, and youth leaders – like 19-year-old Marquese Sykes, who told us in this short clip what the gathering was about:

What happened last night was just a start – committees were being set up, with participants invited to decide which ones they’d join, and what they wanted to do:

Before the night’s end, names were to be added to each of those committees – and then, the next round of work would begin.

Ann Martin April 23, 2015 (3:45 pm)

Thank you for covering this event. The kids were great at facilitating discussions of community safety issues. For some of us, maybe most, the kids’ experiences have taken them much deeper into unsafe, life-threatening situations then we have experienced. Relating their experiences gave us a more expansive glimpse into what needs to be done to increase justice, safety and prosperity in our community. I hope more will join these conversations in the future!

Great job, kids! Great job, Southwest Youth and Family Services!

BeckBe April 23, 2015 (7:44 pm)

I heard about this event from someone who attended. They were truly moved by the stories shared and also by the commitment the youth showed to making the community safe for everyone. Kudos to all involved!

Salt Spray April 23, 2015 (8:55 pm)

“Challenge the Past. Build the Future.”
That’s exactly what Southwest Youth and Family Services is about.

It’s refreshing to see young people challenge their past circumstances and learn skills to become leaders and positive role models in their communities. Marquese is a great example.

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