'Doing nothing' isn't an option

Even though everyone in Burlington, Vermont, wants the “same” thing for our children, Janice Fields, a facilitator for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, notes that “sameness means mixing it up.”

This is exactly what the Burlington Boys & Girls Club did on Thursday, September 11. Led by nationally renowned moderator Dr. William Hyman, about 50 community members representative of all ethnic and professional backgrounds participated, including youth, parents, non-profits, local government, grassroots organizers, law enforcement officials and the State’s Attorneys office.

The most impressive turnout was youth. In fact, Dr. Hyman said the representation was the best he’d seen in four years of working with the Boys & Girls Clubs, and he hailed the “wonderful blend of young folks and adults.” The youngest in the group were Joseph Baker and Brianna Sibley, each 11 years old.

Mary Alice McKenzie, director of the Burlington Boys & Girls Club, credited much of the high turnout success to Wanda Hines, director for the City of Burlington’s Social Equity Investment Project. The SEIP supports existing and emerging Vermont leaders from diverse backgrounds to help provide the necessary tools and training to be effective.

Dr. Hyman encouraged the Burlington community to develop a partnership with youth in order to answer, “What have we gotten into?” He said NOBLE’s primary goal is to help provide equity justice to the community, which means “uncompromising integrity and having the integrity to do the right thing when no one is looking.” He taught the group to identify partners, including among community police officers. “You have to help the police department, if you want quality of life for all youth,” he added.

Dr. Hyman, made reference to the “broken window” theory as he asserted, “Crimes tend to happen in dirty, ugly, run down places. When you show you care and question ugly behavior in the neighborhood. The ugly behavior will move to another ugly neighborhood.” Youth leader Ricky Stewart added, “Crimes do not have color.”

Earlier in the process, local television station WPTZ interviewed Mary Alice of the Boys & Girls Club. “We want one issue we can do something about and do something quickly,” she said. “So in 60 to 90 days, we want to see improvement. We have to be wise in the issue we pick and put together a realistic work plan to work as a group.”   

Divided into three groups, participants identified drugs as the number one issue. By consensus, the group created a three-point action plan to tackle the challenges. The Peers, Parents and Police action plan consist of 3 tiers:

•    Coordinated Community Response (CCR) will include targeting police patrol, neighborhood watches and increased sharing 
•    Peer Outreach Leadership (POL) will focus on youth teaching youth and parents teaching parents
•    Brochure specific to this community’s identified drug issue and the action plan.

So, what’s next? The Burlington Boys & Girls Club Peers, Parents and Police action plan committee will meet Wednesday, September 17, at the Club to recap the event, renew newly found partnerships and commence a journey united in vision. NOBLE facilitator Janice Fields articulated the community’s journey best, “We did not come over in the same boat, but we are on the same boat now.”

In closing, Burlington is a community “just like many across our great nation” and everyday I became more and more inspired by this one specific community embedded in the beautiful landscape of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Right now, I’m most enthused by the leadership of the Boys & Girls Club as they decided months ago that “to do nothing” is not an option.

Here's one video from last week's event, showing moderator Dr. William Hyman, Burlington Police Chief Michael Schirling and Chittenden County State's Attorney T.J. Donovan talking about how to engage the community against drug abuse. You can view more here, and click here to read an earlier post about the NOBLE meeting in Burlington.

Comments

[Julie Fanselow]

Thank you, Wanda, for such a comprehensive multimedia record of what you all started in Burlington last week. You all have the right to be very pleased with the great turnout and the action-packed day you had.

Please come back to add updates here in the comments as you progress with the Peers, Parents and Police action plan. I hope other folks from Burlington will add their thoughts, too. I'm sure other communities will be eager to learn from your experiences.

[Janelle Gilbert-Fuller]

Wanda,
Can you hear my loud applause? What a wonderful inclusive and coordinated community response to address the invasive and impacting problems drugs create as they infest our communities.

I can't wait to hear all about your successes.

[Jeanne Collins]

Wanda, this is fantastic! What a great event, and what a wonderful way to share it with those of us not there! Thank you for your wonderful work!

[Wanda Hines]

All your kind words are very appreciated and inspiring. Yet, what it really ever comes down to is JUST US. Just Alicia, Just Joyce, Just Leisa, Just Samuel, Just Bijoux, Just Janelle, Just Jeanne, Just youth leader Ricky, Just TJ, Just Chief Schirling, Just Mary Alice, Just Pam, Just Laura, Just Maria, Just Jamie, Just Chris, Just Ita, Just Jean-Marie, Just other extraordinary people who attended the event, Just Us, Just community…moving beyond the crossroads to a valued and preferred future.

Still, I would like to add that I was very, very moved by the unselfish, sharing of NOBLE’s social capital in the form of Dr. Hyman and Janice Fields. They demonstrated sound inclusive leadership skills from the start while encouraging new and creative partnerships. We salute them and look forward to NOBLE’s return in 60-90 days.

[Elizabeth Allen-Pennebaker]

What a great event. Thanks to everyone who organized it! It is such a good thing for the neighborhood.

[Lisa Bedinger]

I'm inspired by the work that everyone involved has already done & I look forward to the changes to come. Wanda, thank you for sharing the day with me & others through this. How can I get involved?

[Amy Malick]

Thanks for this wonderful follow-up report, and the bonus of photos and the video. It's a multi-media treat! I am so impressed that your group came up with such a meaty plan so quickly. I like the idea of youth working with youth, and will look for updates about what they learn over the next 60-90 days. Yea for Joseph and Brianna! My very best to all of you leaders in Burlington!

[Wanda Hines]

Thank you Lisa…the process was very rewarding and empowering. If you’d like to get involved…the next meeting is 9/25/08 at Boys and Girls Club, 3:30-5:00pm at 62 Oak Street, across from Roosevelt Park. We’d love to have your show of support. Because, I truly believe it does take a village… so come on down. We look forward to you joining us.

[Rachel Stampul]

Wow, Wanda. This sounds fantastic! It is an honor to be able to work with you on projects that can make such a huge impact on our amazing community!