Back when we first started reporting on the horrific crime in the Dunbar Village housing project, the only community organizations that appeared to be rallying around the housing project were the local churches. At least one of them appeared to have had a VBS program in Dunbar Village prior to the attack. They held a prayer vigil right after the crime became public.
A coalition of 15 churches and ministries gathered for a rally outside the Coleman Community Center, to revitalize neglected communities.
“In a response to say that we can work together and that we are our brother and sister’s keeper,” said community activist Dr. Terriel Byrd.
More than 100 volunteers put on gloves to clean and repair the surrounding area.
It’s happening on the 41st anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior’s assassination, in Memphis.
He went there to support striking sanitation workers and to bring people together, just as today’s effort.
“Coming together across racial, ethnic and cultural communities to worship,” said Byrd. “But also a day of service.”
So residents were invited to a free lunch and groceries were made available for families who are in dire need.
The Christian Prayer and Action Coalition formed after the brutal rape and assault of a mother and her son, in Dunbar Village in 2007. WPTV
They have their own website:
In response to the brutal rape and assault of a woman and her son in Dunbar Village in 2007, UYI organized a Unified Prayer Walk in the inner-city housing community on August 18, 2007. Over 800 people from 50 churches and Christian organizations across Palm Beach County participated.
The Unified Prayer Walk sparked a huge level of interest among pastors to get more involved in the plight of inner-city neighborhoods in West Palm Beach. Founder and President Bill Hobbs rallied the pastors to start CPAC (Christian Prayer & Action Coalition). Thirty churches have joined CPAC to support its six initiatives:
• Mentoring (Click here to see the boys’ mentoring program photo album)
• Adopt-a-family
• Summer camp sponsorships
• Family picnics
• Home improvements for inner-city residents
• Ongoing prayer sessions
Now the majority of these folks do not appear to be African American. to my knowledge unlike the NAACP and the Naitonal Action Network who rode into town did a photo op and sped back out, they’ve continued to work with the children in that community for over a year. They have photos
Now this is a model for you and your city.Stop wondering why the CRIC isn’t marching and support groups and organizations who will rally and organize on behalf of Black communities living on violent tyranny in America.
If you have been wanting to do something, consider providing TANGIBLE SUPPORT to those that are already doing the work. Here is the donation page for the CPAC who appear to be running programs in Dunbar Village, you can specify where you want them to use your donation.
5 comments ↓
Gina,
Thanks for this post. Do you know if anyone has been in touch with Citoya? I know that she had experienced some health challenges and I haven’t heard from her since.
This is great. It does speak volumes that the people helping are not Black and don’t live (or even have to) in these dangerous residential areas. I really hope some good will come out of this.
Gina: Thank you. This is the kind of thing I love to hear:
people who are not just complaining but getting off
their rear ends and doing practical yet important things
to help. And it couldn’t come on a more appropriate day.
Good news!
That is such great news to hear. I always wonder why many of our black organization do more. We should challenge them to take responsibility.