News from my Youth ALIVE!

Youth ALIVE! saves lives.

News from Youth ALIVE! December 11, 2012   "I'm not asking for no money, no I'm just asking for a little change, that could turn into big change and the change could also change many people's lives."   --Joshep Sanchez, Castlemont TNT member, November 13, 2012 Youth ALIVE! saves lives KTVU story shares aftermath of violence YA!'s Briana, Caheri and Tammy talk about recovery College student and former TNT leader Briana Dunn and TNT staff member Caheri Gutierrez, both of whom were assisted by Caught in the Crossfire's Tammy Cloud after they suffered gun violence as teenagers, were interviewed for a TV news feature about their journey from pain to hope. Watch the video here. County Supervisors award Marilyn Harris Award honors her work in memory of her son Khadafy Last month, the Board of Supervisors and Human Relations Commission gave Khadafy Washington Project founder Marilyn Washington Harris the "Excellence in Human Relations" Award to salute the work she has done in the community since the untimely death of her son. A San Francisco magazine article recounted her story: "I was crazy with just wanting to help somebody," she says. "When somebody would tell me so-and-so got killed, I'd say, "Well, where do they live? I started having flowers sent, with papier-mache angels and my card. I didn't want recognition, but I wanted them to know that somebody had come that had gone through the same experience."    "That is not how a 21 year-old should feel" Davantae tells his story I was shot in the back on streets of East Oakland on December 21, 2011. I have a two year old daughter who I need to live for and provide for. I've noticed that since the shooting, I can't sleep too good, I wake up at night when I hear any strange noise, I find myself always peeking out of the windows, as if I am paranoid. I never used to be like that before the shooting. But now, I do things that I know should not be normal. It is sad to me because I don't even feel safe taking my daughter to the park to play with her. I know that is not how a 21 year old should feel.    One of the only things that I can say that has been going good in my life is the help that I have received from Youth ALIVE!. They have helped me believe that I can still have a bright future. Read the rest of Davantae's story.  Support Youth ALIVE! Youth ALIVE! believes that urban youth have the innate capacity to stop the violence plaguing their communities. Every day, we nurture leadership and life skills of young people affected by violence because addressing the root causes of violence saves lives.   Our Teens on Target, Caught in the Crossfire, Khadafy Washington Project and the National Network are nationally recognized programs saving lives locally and across the country. Send a personal message you care "Give Back Night" for Khadafy Washington Project is December 18 Sometimes youth violence can feel overwhelming, but there are simple steps you can take today to make a difference. Youth ALIVE! needs volunteers to help write cards and assemble care packages to families in need after a homicide. Join us! KWP Give Back Night 6-8pm, Tuesday, Dec 18th at Youth ALIVE!'s office 3300 Elm Street, Oakland Contact Dionne Carter at dcarter@youthalive.org or 510-228-9106 for more info on monthly Give Back Nights or providing meals and other support to families in need. Learn.  Donate.  Volunteer. You can also get others involved by forwarding a friend this email.

Youth ALIVE! saves lives. For more info, visit www.YouthALIVE.org Youth ALIVE! saves lives