Winston-Salem State University’s Center for Community Safety recently awarded $27,000 in grants for three community organizations as part of its work as a Weed and Seed agency funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Capacity Development Office.
Organizations receiving funds were Southside Rides, Union Baptist Church and Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.
As representatives of Weed and Seed Twin City East-West Partnership watch, (seated L to R) Cheryl Harry of Union Baptist Church; David Moore of Southside Rides; and Pastor Seth O. Lartey of Goler Memorial, sign grant agreements.
“The Weed and Seed program focuses resources in a two-pronged approach to reduce neighborhood crime,” said Alvin Atkinson, interim director, Center for Community Safety. “Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in ‘weeding out’ criminals, while community and faith-based organizations are involved with public agencies in ‘seeding’ the neighborhood by providing programs that can prevent crime. Through our local Weed and Seed site, the Twin City East-West Partnership, we are able to award sub grants to support the efforts of these organizations that are serving their neighborhoods.”
Southside Rides will receive $9,000 to support its training program for young people referred by the court system and inmates at the Forsyth County Detention Center. Formed in 2005 by David Moore, the program provides training in automobile detail, body repair and mechanics, as well as workplace attitudes and personal behaviors that support students’ abilities to be productive members of society. Through the project, its participants are provided meaningful activities and develop useful employment skills.
The $9,000 grant to Union Baptist Church will be used to expand its Character Football League (CFL) for boys and girls ages five to 13 into the Rolling Hills community. In addition to playing football, youth involved in the program will take part in character development sessions, crime prevention workshops, healthy eating clinics and tutoring sessions. The CFL is an outgrowth of Union Baptist’s efforts to provide youth a positive educational, character and athletic experience while addressing an array of issues ranging from gang violence prevention to childhood obesity.
Goler Institute for Development and Education (GIDE), the educational arm of Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, will use its $9,000 grant to implement a community-based revitalization project called DIVAS, or Dreams Initiating Virtuous Alternative Solutions, in the Rolling Hills community. DIVAS will focus on at least 10 women to help them improve their leadership skills and personal growth as a means of developing a well-functioning Rolling Hills Resident Association. The project will also focus on improving parenting skills and developing a community crime-prevention plan.
The Center for Community Safety (CCS) is one of more than 250 Weed and Seed sites throughout the country that focuses on supporting law enforcement and also collaborative efforts to reduce crime with a neighborhood approach. Established in 2001, the CCS is an important community outreach and engagement program for WSSU and over the years it has become a national leader in promoting the creation, development and sustainability of successful community partnerships that create safer, more stable communities.
