Westminster youth, members, and leadership attend Geoffrey Canada’s appearance at ACT dinner
A.C.T. (Area Congregations Together) presented Geoffrey Canada as keynote speaker for their Sixth Annual Dinner Monday night, January 14th, held at the south area’s Antioch Progressive Church.
Geoffrey Canada, through his role as the President and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, has emerged as one of our country’s leading advocates and experts on issues of youth violence prevention and youth development. Founded in 1970, Harlem Children's Zone, Inc. is a pioneering, non-profit, community-based organization that works to enhance the quality of life for children and families in some of New York City's most devastated neighborhoods. Its 15 centers serve more than 13,000 children and adults, including over 11,000 at-risk children. The emphasis of The Children's Zone work is not just on education, social service and recreation, but on rebuilding the very fabric of community life.
ACT chose to invite Geoffrey Canada so that “together we can learn from his many years of experience developing prevention and intervention strategies that produce real results: More young people graduating from high school and going to college, more involved parents, and a stronger support of our youth. It is not enough to react to youth violence. We need to implement sustainable, research-based programs. Tonight is about getting smarter.”
Diana Wright, Westminster’s Director of Youth Ministry, organized and purchased three tables of eight for the sold-out event, believing that she could fill them. It was the largest block of tables bought by any single organization. All three tables were filled, and there were several other members of the congregation who came independently. There were seven youth representatives, all of whom were sponsored by individual members of Westminster. Also in attendance were Rev. Thompson, Rev. Cox, and many members of the congregation and church staff with a passion for young people.
A number of elected officials and civic leaders were also present, including Sacramento City Councilman Rob Fong, Senator Darryl Steinberg, Kevin Johnson, President/CEO of St. Hope, and Jim Keddy, Executive Director of ACT.
Some of Geoffrey Canada’s most memorable comments:
“We must approach our youth with high expectations AND high warmth. One in the absence of the other is ineffective.”
“We need to look at real data and truthfully evaluate ourselves. This work (saving children) is not for everyone. If you can’t handle it, let those who can do it, and give them your support. If you are not prepared to fight for youth you are not going to save them.”
“There are 580,000 black males in prisons in the United States. Less than 40,000 black males graduate from college each year. If our youth don’t make it, neither will America.”
“Our response to the crisis of youth violence: We are willing to pay ANYTHING to deal with the issue, except to solve it up front, before it starts.”
“We must actively interfere with this problem by implementing a comprehensive, integrated approach that encompasses birth through college.”
“These kids must go to college. In our evolving global economy its not an option.”
“The first casualty is hope. These problems are not intractable, but we must learn to think outside the box.”
“What if no-one ever gave you any examples of faith? It is all of our responsibility to show them what faith looks like.”
“Great coaches can save lives. Who’s coaching our kids?”