Teens Flock to Capitol to Help Congress Tackle Gang Problems
WASHINGTON – Teens from across the nation were brought to the doorsteps of Congress Thursday to speak out about increased gang violence in the United States and propose tactics to combat the problem from the perspective of people who have been personally affected by the nation's growing gang and crime problems.
Ninety teens from metropolitan cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York as well as other cities from areas including rural Georgia and West Virginia were selected by the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision to meet with members of Congress to discuss gang violence prevention.
Young advocates were selected from WV-affiliated Christian and community programs for having a voice on the issue that needed to be heard and for strong leadership skills.
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Some of the young advocates have also suffered traumatic gang-related experiences such as one participant from Los Angeles who witnessed her brother's murder due to gang violence, and another young woman from Chicago whose cousin was killed and whose house was recently shot at.
"As Christians, we are called to both protect vulnerable children and to speak out on their behalf," said Corryne Deliberto, policy advisor on domestic programs at World Vision U.S., to The Christian Post. "Sustainable change only happens when young people are empowered to be agents of transformation within their own communities."
The prevailing concern among the youth leaders, which they emphasized during their meetings with congressmen, was over policy changes that address prevention. Teens agreed that in order to address the root cause of youth violence, the government needs to prevent kids from joining a gang or crime-related activities in the first place.
Suggestions for keeping kids away from gangs and off the streets include more after-school activities, providing more places where youths can feel safe and build friendships, and offering more mentoring programs.
In addition, the teen representatives strongly urged more employment opportunities for young adults to keep them away from relying on drug trade for money.
"World Vision focuses on gang violence because teens around the nation cite this as a critical issue affecting their well being," Deliberto said. "They are here to voice their ideas on how they can partner with government to make their communities safer."
The Capitol Hill visit was in response to a bipartisan legislation on gang violence currently being considered in Congress which would give $1 billion over five years to combat growing gang violence and fund prevention programs.
Violent crimes have increased six percent, partially because of gangs and gun violence, according to the FBI 2005-2006 data.
During their stay in Washington, anti-gang teen advocates are also participating in a Youth Empowerment Summit, held June 27-30 and hosted by World Vision, where they will attend workshops on how to better improve their advocacy when they return to their local communities.
World Vision has for 20 years worked on youth development in the United States but has only begun building programs and advocacy works on gang prevention for about 18 months.
