Stop the Violence

Recent headlines are a grim reminder of Sacramento’s longtime problem of youth violence. In a city that has seen more than its share of teenage shootings and killings, you’ve got to wonder if and when it will end. Even though Sacramento experienced fewer crimes in 2010, serious violent crimes went up—criminal homicides and felony assaults—which include non-fatal shootings and stabbings. In 2009, Sacramento had 33 homicides involving 10 to 24 year olds, many of who have been raised fatherless.

For fatherless boys in Del Paso Heights, the future is bleak. It is more likely that they will parent before age 20, abuse drugs and join a gang than go to college, have a career and own a home. When a father is absent in a boy’s life, positive examples and mentors, like those at Shoulder To Shoulder, assume great importance.

Boys like Andrew are feeling God’s love through the mentors at Freedom Hall. Andrew participated in the program while attending Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy; he is now a 10th grader at Natomas High School. He says “The mentors teach us how to be a man. We have no other male figures to look up to.”  Andrew likes sports, particularly basketball, and is thinking about becoming a doctor someday. Like the other boys at Freedom Hall, Andrew says he wants to attend college because he has been encouraged by his mentor. Andrew has gained a positive outlook because he has someone who believes in him. But he worries about other boys who don’t come to Freedom Hall. What will happen to them?

With more mentors, volunteers and financial support, together we can end the cycle of fatherlessness in Del Paso Heights.



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