Summer nonviolence program aims to keep teens out of trouble

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 3 minutes read

A community initiative to combat youth crime by providing events and opportunities to keep teens busy this summer. Alicia Otero, co-founder of New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, believes this new summer nonviolence program is a step in the right direction. “Creating an environment where they can have a good time, feel safe and just have a good time is really what we need,” Otero said. She knows firsthand what losing someone to gun violence does to a family. “Their whole world has just been turned upside down, financially and emotionally. Their life has started all over again and it's really affecting them,” Otero said. She believes this program can help prevent more families from experiencing the same heartbreak. “I think a lot of kids don't have the means to do things, and there's really not much available to them, so creating events like this where people feel safe, they’re going to attend,” Otero said. Sheriff John Allen said summer. This is when children may get into bad things out of boredom. “We're saying there aren't a lot of resources in the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. Through the two of us partnering together, we're making sure these kids have a pathway,” Allen said . Some of the events that will be offered are movies in the park, workshops for different activities and summer job opportunities. “Make sure they not only stay away from violence, but that they have a career path, relationships and prospects,” Allen said. “I'm excited because we're seeing change and things are starting to move in a positive direction. It will take time, but we now have solutions instead of just talking about them.” The sheriff said he hopes to reach teens involved in teen violence through community policing and persistence. “Some of them might not participate in these events, but that might prevent others who haven't gotten to this point from choosing the right path,” Otero said. The next event will take place on June 7 at the Los Vecinos Community Center.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico —

A community initiative to combat youth crime by providing events and opportunities to keep teens busy this summer.

Alicia Otero, co-founder of New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, believes this new summer nonviolence program is a step in the right direction.

“Creating an environment where they can have a good time, feel safe and just have a good time is really what we need,” Otero said.

She knows firsthand what losing someone to gun violence does to a family.

“Their whole world has just been turned upside down, financially and emotionally. Their life has started all over again, and it's really affecting them,” Otero said.

She believes this program can help prevent more families from experiencing the same loss.

“I think a lot of kids don't have the means to do things, and there's really not much available to them, so creating events like this where people feel safe, they’re going to attend,” Otero said.

Sheriff John Allen said summer is the time when kids can get into bad things out of boredom.

“We say there aren't a lot of resources in the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. With the two of us partnering together, we're making sure these kids have a pathway,” Allen said.

Among the events that will be offered are films in the park, workshops for different activities and summer job opportunities.

“Make sure they're not just staying away from violence, but also making sure they have a career path, relationships and opportunities,” Allen said. “I'm excited because we're seeing change and things are starting to move in a positive direction. It'll take time, but we have solutions now instead of just talking about them.”

The sheriff said he hopes to reach teens involved in teen violence through community policing and persistence.

“Some of them might not participate in these events, but that might prevent others who haven't gotten to this point from choosing the right path,” Otero said.

The next event will take place on June 7 at the Los Vecinos Community Center.