Campaigns focus on youth, gun violence

Article By Marie Szaniszlo
Wednesday, January 30, 2008

City and state officials joined community leaders yesterday to launch two campaigns to help Hub youngsters and address a wave of violence that’s cut down eight men this year.

“The investment we make in our young citizens today will reap innumerable benefits for them, and for the commonwealth, tomorrow,” Massachusetts first lady Diane Patrick said at yesterday’s Summit on Youth.

The summit brought together members of the public and private sectors to discuss how they can best help young people caught in the crosshairs of gang gunplay.

“If we can increase the network of adults who are committed to being there . . . we will create a movement that has the potential to keep young people safe and in school and inspired for a lifetime of success,” said Michael K. Durkin, of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

By logging on to inspire4life.org, adults can sign up to mentor, tutor, coach or offer jobs and internships to youngsters.

Separately yesterday, Massachusetts Against Trafficking Handguns honored Mayor Thomas M. Menino and announced plans to merge with Citizens for Safety, a group credited with helping to reduce the number of Boston homicides in the 1990s.

Citizens for Safety will spearhead the “Where did the gun come from?” campaign, which seeks to hold accountable the 1 percent of federally licensed gun dealers from whom 60 percent of the guns used in crimes originate, according to government statistics.

“Gun violence is the leading cause of death for African-American males ages 12 to 24,” said Dorchester preacher the Rev. Bruce Wall. “We’re losing a whole generation of young people to the morgue or to prison.”

For those of you interested in learning more about Citizens for Safety and how you can become involved, contact Nancy Robinson at nancyrob@comcast.net, or by phone at: (617)-233-5363.