Many anti-violence organizations highlighted in new ‘Community Services Directory’

REV. PHILLIP GRAYSON ADDRESSES THE MEDIA ON FEB. 26, PART OF THE TEAM THAT ANNOUNCED THE NEW “COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTORY” THAT’S BEING PUBLISHED TO CONNECT ANTI-VIOLENCE ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC. (PHOTO BY J.L MARTELLO)

Booklet already going to local schools, Tim Stevens says

 

For Rev. Phillip Grayson, the fight against gun violence is “personal.”

The Associate Minister at Central Baptist Church, in the Hill District, only had to walk a few steps across the street to where Tim Stevens’ Black Political Empowerment Project and the Greater Pittsburgh Coalition Against Violence were holding a news conference on Monday afternoon, Feb. 26. Together, the announcement was made that the fourth “Community Services Directory” was being released to the public, a guide to community services throughout Pittsburgh that fights against violence in the Black community.

 “I pray that each and every individual that stands here today, do not give up,” Rev. Phillip Grayson said. “Never give up. Because if we give up, then we’re giving up on our kids. And for me, it’s extremely personal, because I, myself, in 1992, was a victim of an attempted homicide. I was shot multiple times on Colwell and Dinwiddie (in the Hill District).”

Most of the people in the Alma Speed Fox Building couldn’t believe what they just heard.

“I know what it’s like to be a victim,” Rev. Phillip Grayson continued. “I know what it’s like to feel bullets pass through your body. I know what it’s like to be afraid, I know what it’s like to fight for your life, I know what it’s like to have to learn how to brush your teeth again and walk again. I know what these things feel like. And I’m tired of seeing it.”

Shayla Holmes, the B-PEP/CAV Youth Peace Summit Coordinator, said the directory would be published and sent to local schools. An online version of the directory can be found at coalitionagainstviolence.net or by calling 412-212-8775.

SUPPORTERS OF THE NEW COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTORY, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE HILL DISTRICT, FEB. 26. (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)

The directory breaks down a list of community organizations by neighborhood. For example, on pages 37-39, one can find resources in the Mon Valley, like the Rankin Christian Center, The Healthy Village Learning Institute, Angel’s Place and Heritage Community Initiative Inc. Or on the North Side, there’s Project Destiny Inc., Brown Chapel AME Church, and the Jefferson Recreation Center, among others. The directory lists human services agencies in Downtown like ACTION-Housing, the YMCA and YWCA, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and Renewal Inc. In Wilkinsburg, the directory lists MAD DADS, Cure Violence East, the Hosanna House, Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation and Wilkinsburg Community Ministry.

“It’s imperative as a community that we stand with these organizations,” Rev. Grayson said. He added that it’s “heartbreaking” each time a church has to hold the funeral of anyone, especially a child, due to violence.

As Holmes spoke to the media during the news conference, she noted that the weather was unseasonably nice for February. Temperatures hit the mid-60s with no rain on Feb. 26.

B-PEP’S ROY BLANKENSHIP

“But it did cross my mind if there was any shootings today,” she said. “We have to remember that as the nice weather approaches, that also the risk of losing more lives approaches. We want to protect our youth just like that beautiful baby boy over there to ensure that he grows up, along with the rest of our youth.”

Holmes was referring to Emrias Hillard, all of 8 months old, who was smiling and babbling throughout the news conference.

“We hear the child’s voice in the background, but this directory is so that our children can live past 18, and live past 88,” voiced Stevens, the B-PEP Chairman and CEO.

8-MONTH-OLD EMRIAS HILLARD AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE…

Take a look at Pittsburgh from a wider view, and there is a humongous effort taking place to fight back against gun violence, but particularly, the Black-on-Black gun violence. The Black mayor, Ed Gainey, hiring the Black police chief, Larry Scirotto, who on Feb. 23 announced sweeping changes to the department to try and battle the violence happening in the streets. The police chief has a new Violent Crimes Division complete with 17 officers dedicated to going after the most violent actors.

With the new “Community Services Directory” from B-PEP and the Coalition Against Violence, it’s proof that there are dozens of non-profit organizations all-in on fighting back against gun violence in Pittsburgh, and the particular toll it takes on the Black youth.

In 2023, 14 minors were killed in Allegheny County; 13 of whom were Black.

“This directory, we want to get this all around our city, our county and we want to utilize it,” Holmes said. “We don’t want this to just be something that sits on the desk or the table or the counter. This needs to be utilized.”

For the aforementioned Rev. Phillip Grayson, he knows that he’s more likely to get through to today’s Black youth, due to his race and what he’s been through.

“I know what it takes to reach the kids in the streets because I was that kid in the street, and they need information. They need resources,” Rev. Grayson of Central Baptist Church told the Courier exclusively. “…No one wants to spend 20 years behind bars if they can get up and go to work like an honest man, so we’re here fighting to make sure they get the resources they need…so they can become productive parts of society like they should be.”

Rev. Grayson added: “Everything that I’m doing now, they can do, because what they’re doing, I’ve already done and I know there’s no future in that. I know that’s just a cliche that people use often, but it’s more than a cliche; it’s a fact.”

 

 

 

 

 

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