LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington nonprofit is providing a safe space for young people affected by violence to connect with others this summer.
What You Need To Know
- As part of Devine Carama's "It Takes a Village" program, teens will spend the next eight weeks with mentors and leaders ingraining themselves in their community
- The goal is to give them a safe space to connect with others affected by violence
- More than 100 students have applied, but registration remains open, with 50 slots available each week
- Programming is extended throughout the year with coat, food and book drives
As many students enjoy summer break, more than 100 young people have signed up to hear from leaders and be a part of Devine Carama’s “It Takes a Village” summer program.
The opportunity allows young people disproportionately affected by gun violence to engage with those who help make a difference around their city.
Frederick Douglass High School student Kavion Thompson said he has been part of the program since its start and is now prepared to be a youth mentor, adding leaders like Carama have taught him how to handle challenges
“You have people to talk to, and I have a closer bond with Devine than a lot of the other people," Thompson said.
Carama has been director of ONE Lexington for three years, the city's youth gun violence prevention group.
“I'm not going to lie; when I first started, there were a lot of people who wondered if I could do this job," Carama said. "It was such a daunting task.”
“A lot of people thought I was set up for failure. A lot of people thought I was too 'street-connected' or not 'street enough.'”
Carama said the city had 22 homicides at this time two years ago, whereas there have been five this year.
“To be able to prove our worth and value over the last two or three years is super special," Carama said. "The most important thing is that more young people are alive because of these partnerships being formed.”