Saving a generation of children is the goal for the Adopt-A-Street initiative being developed for the inner city State Street off Southeast Broad Street.
Ministers, more than 70 representatives of community organizations, church members and volunteers will talk to residents to determine their needs and add services, said MTSU Associate Professor Linda Gilbert, who is volunteering with the program.
“Hopefully, we can change and empower the people to make the lives of their children better,” Gilbert said.
A community block party will kick off the initiative at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18 on State Street. Adopt-A-Street organizers and Second Chance Ministries will sponsor the party.
The Rev. Vincent Windrow of Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church is developing the effort with pastors of Rockvale Independent Regional Church of God, Key Memorial United Methodist Church, Stones River Church, Mt. Zion Rucker Church and First Baptist Church on Castle Street.
Windrow, who grew up in urban Murfreesboro, said the Adopt-A-Street program is personal because he is familiar with the living conditions.
City Councilman Ron Washington described the street as one where too many shootings occur and “too many folks are hanging out on the corners and so-called wanna-be gang members are hanging out. They’ve got an attitude that’s really wrong. We’ve got to change that mentality.”
The street is home to residents who want their community back and not live in fear.
“They just want to live in peace but the culture doesn’t necessarily let them live in peace,” Washington said.
Pastors, church members and volunteers will survey the residents for needs such as mentoring, educational and recreational opportunities, and parenting and safety issues. They will talk to children about what they are interested in after school and during the summer. They will determine the top priorities.
“It’s all about self-help skills and personal growth,” Washington said, adding he hopes the community involvement will change the attitudes of the younger people.
Gilbert said the volunteers will bring the residents’ concerns and needs to the community organizations who will provide services.
“We really want to help them in whatever they want to do for their community,” Gilbert said. “The idea is to connect with people and let them know churches care and we care about helping them. We expect a cleaner neighborhood, more pride and academic achievement.”
Windrow said he hopes other civic groups, sororities and fraternities will join the effort to address basic human needs. People who want to volunteer or participate may call 494-1607.
“Everyone wants to matter,” Windrow said.
He envisions approaching residents from a constructive standpoint.
“We don’t want to be paternalistic but really understand what the needs are so we can speak to them in such a way that is not demeaning but meaningful,” Windrow explained.
He believes there is a need for education and respect for self and others. He wants to build the concept of citizenship and its obligations, benefits and roles as citizens.
“That translates into have a clean street, that translates into having a safe street, that translates into being neighborly,” Windrow said, adding embracing the role as citizens catapults people into being more responsible.
Many people have tried similar efforts but never really produced what was promised.
“We squandered to many opportunities and too much has gone unfulfilled for this one to fail,” Windrow said. “We cannot afford this initiative to fail.”
Washington said once improving State Street, organizers hope to target other streets.
“If you can deal with State Street, you can deal with any street in this community,” Washington said.
Windrow compared the program to Adopt-A-Highway.
“We want to pick up people,” Windrow said. “That’s the approach we’re taking with the Adopt-A-Street initiative.”
Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com. |
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