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Newsletter ~ April 2009 SERVING INNER-CITY YOUTH & FAMILIES IN
THE DOWNTOWN ATLANTA AREA
SummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhillSummerhill Community MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity MinistriesCommunity Ministries
From left to right the AB Honor Roll “AB” students & Principals List
“P” students are (back row) Antavious(AB), Marquell(AB), Tallion
(P), Myleondre(P), Asia(P), Jermaine(P), Bianca(P), Adrieanna(AB),
(front row) Niqua(AB), Joshua(P)
Leading up to our Spring Break, we all
looked forward to rest and fun free
time! But for some of our after- school-
program kids, this spring break will
be remembered for it’s tragic
outcome. On April the 7th, 3 teens
were shot in our community. 2 of them
were brothers, and the 3rd was a
player on our 15-under basketball
team. He was shot in the leg and is
recovering at home. The older
brother, a 10th grader at Carver High
school was killed. His brother is in
critical condition at Grady Memorial
hospital.
Several of our elementary students,
were at the scene right after the
shooting. They looked on as this teen’s
body lay bleeding, while paramedics
tried to revive him. This mother
buried her son this past Saturday, and
hopes her younger son will pull
through.
I personally know many of the family
members of these 2 boys. They truly
need prayer.
The kids needed to talk about what
happened when I picked them up from
school. They were still in a bit of shock
as they reenacted their accounts of
that night. Not being able to hear so
many at once, I told the kids we would
allow them to talk about this more,
during our devotion time. As soon as
we got to the Center, we all sat down
for devotion.
The kids began to talk about that
tragic night. Each shared his own
feelings and thoughts with respect of
the others, as they shared.
(Continued on page 2)
I’ve had accomplishments. I’ve
done good deeds. I’ve done bad
deeds. I’ve made people laugh.
I’ve made love ones cry. I have
done all these things.
In the process of trying to figure out
who I am, I can remember back
when I didn’t have a worry in the
world - care free with no problems.
I was a honor roll student and I
loved the band.
My hero was my father. He taught
me how to respect everyone and
how to take care of myself.
Everything that my father said still
remains in my head. He was a
handsome guy - also multi-talented.
He could paint, draw, dance, build
houses and he had the gift to make
anyone feel welcome. My father fell
victim to drugs when I was 8 or 9.
That changed my life in a major
way.
Senseless Shootings Out of the Mouth of Children
Music has always been my first
love. As I grew older I
traveled playing the drums in
a group called ‘Divine
Vibrations”. We performed in
different states like Florida,
North Carolina, Chicago, New
York. We even had the
opportunity to perform in
Toronto, Canada. It was fun
while it lasted. Having the
chance to see all these
different places at such a
young age opened my mind to
things that were beyond my
years. My experiences
matured me before my time.
By the time I was in high
school, arrogance and pride
became a part of my mentality.
I was so confident in who I was
that I didn’t listen to anyone. I
got off track venturing off into
(Continued on page 4)
Announcement: We now have
PayPal available for people to make
on-line donations! You can access
it anytime through our website
As I look back over my life ,
(Names are undisclosed)
“D” plays on our 15 and under
basketball team. He has been
getting in trouble at school for the
past 2 years and was finally kicked
out, and sent to CEP (an alternative
school in Atlanta). “D” wanted to
play on our team this year. He had
to be encouraged to attend
practice in the beginning, but soon
started to be one of the first to
show up to practice.
Coach Emanuel decided to have a
talking session with the boys. They
discussed making good and bad
decisions. The boys began to share
situations going on in their lives.
The boys were so open and
engaged that the talk lasted for a
while.
The next week was a rainy one and
Coach Emanuel had to cancel a
practice. “D” then asked Coach.
“Can we do the talk thing?” Coach
Emanuel realized just how much
these boys need positive
encouragement. Please pray for
“D” and the other boys on the team
that are open and hungry for a
better way. Pray also pray for
Coach Emanuel.
Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc. April 2009 ~ Page 2
P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • [email protected] • http:\\www.summerhillcm.com
I then, shared with them the
senseless reason behind all of this
happening. I was told by a family
member that these 2 brothers have
a much older brother (who is a part
of a gang) who got into a fight in
another nearby community the
week before. The men from this
community found out that this guy
they wanted so badly to hurt had 2
younger brothers. The boys were
outside that night, on their way to a
corner store. 2 cars drove buy,
shooting the boys. The 10th grader
was also a part of the gang that his
older brother was a part of. He saw
the cars and yelled out a gang
quote. It cost him his life.
Here are some of our kid’s
responses:
“It makes me sad that someone
would do this to teenagers. They
should have thought twice”
“I hate the reason they died.”
“Gang members are cowards,
because they shoot and run and
don’t fight with their hands.”
“We need to say “no” when
someone ask us to be in a gang.”
“There was so much blood!”
Jaylen says, “Ms. Justina, I’m going
to work on my writing. I want to be
a writer and get a job, so I don’t
have to be on the street.”
(Continued from page 1) Jordan closed out in prayer saying,
“Lord, help us to say no to gangs
and to be strong and stay off of the
streets and live a better life. Help
us to listen to good things. Help the
families of the boys that they be
alright. In Jesus name.”
After one of our devotions about
the shootings, one of the Tutors,
feeling overwhelmed and in shock
about what had happened, turned
to me and asked, "What chance do
these kids have and what are they
suppose to do??!”
I pulled her away from the kids and
told her that we keep doing what
we are doing, but with even more
passion and purpose. We continue
to speak truth and practical positive
alternatives to these kids so that
they will know that they have hope
and have the power to choose a
better life by making better
choices. We keep God's word
before them and love on them each
day that we have them in our care.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom
you will serve... But as for me and my
household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15
“Be strong and courageous, and do the
work. Do not be afraid or discouraged,
for the Lord God, my God, is with you.”
1 Chronicles 28:20
SCM Prayer Request
April 2009 ~ Page 3
We all have dreams and desires in
life. One of my desires was to have
more space in my home--more
room for my family and for people
that we welcome into our home.
Some stay for a few hours, others a
few days to several weeks at a time.
Our home has housed many
children, teens and adults through
the years. We have all shared the
one bath and 3 bedroom house
with thankfulness to God for His
provision of shelter.
And how faithful is He to send Justin
and Anna Winter to us. Not only to
share their gifts and talents with our
after school program and summer
camp, but also to spear head the
wonderful addition to our house.
They helped raise funds and
gathered a host of hard working
volunteers, putting in money and
hours and hours of work to see this
House Addition Thank You
project through.
Justin and faithful volunteers spent
long hours working on our home,
after they worked their regular
jobs. Over the last several months,
we saw men, women, and children
come through and transform our
home. Hammering, painting,
sanding, measuring, cutting, tiling,
and much more, was the on the
agenda during the fall and winter
months. Many of those that worked
shared that it was a pleasure to be
able to help. My family and I were
touched in ways that will stay with
us for life.
The addition was completed for us
to move in, in January, and it is
beautiful!! Our new addition was
built in love by these wonderful
people.
Thank you all, for everything you
have done for us:
Justina Dix
April 2009 ~ Page 4 Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.
P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • [email protected] • http:\\www.summerhillcm.com
Our 18-under team,
won the
championship. This
was the first year the
trophy was not
available on the day
of the game. The
team received it the
following Saturday.
The 15-under team
placed 5th. Go
Teams!
my own world. This little world I
put myself in consisted of sex,
hanging out with friends, sports,
and music. This path lead me to
unhealthy relationships. I
graduated from high school late,
picked-up bad habits such as
drinking alcohol and smoking. I
was in a dark place.
My mother taught me the Word of
God and I was raised up going to
church. Because of this, I was never
at ease doing the things I was
doing. In the midst of all the wrong
I had done, God still had mercy on
me. I repented for the wrong I had
done and God allowed me to get
back on track. I finished school and
went on to college at Atlanta
Technical College as a master
barber. I am a father to my
beautiful daughter Tashawna Emani
Dix.
I am a teacher, coach and a mentor
at Summerhill Community
Ministries. I love my job. I love the
children that I interact with. I love
the Lord for giving me another
chance. I hope to fulfill the purpose
that He has designed for me. The
one gift that I’m most thankful for is
the ability to communicate with the
children. To be able to listen to
their thoughts and feelings is one of
the best ways to understand their
needs.
It is surprising to see how today’s
youth live in the environment that
surrounds them and still find a way
to smile. I’m here to encourage that
smile. My desire is to say
something positive, do something
positive, and be someone that is
positive. Emanuel Dix
(Continued from page 1)
____ YES, I want to volunteer this summer ____________________________________
(area of interest)
Name _____________________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________
City: ________________________ State: __________ Zip: _________________
Phone: ____________________________ _____ YES, please mail me the newsletter
_____ YES, save postage and EMAIL the newsletter to me at:
Email: ____________________________________________________________
Sponsor a Child/Job Trainer/Camp Teacher for Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc. - Camp 2009
With summer quickly approaching,
children in Summerhill, Peoplestown,
Mechanicsville, and Grant Park will be
in need of constructive activities. With
your help these children can
participate in SCM’s Inc. Summer
Camp.
Our camp is a quality, God centered
camp where the young people can
learn the Bible, receive love and
encouragement from staff and caring
volunteers, and participate in
enrichment activities and trips. In the
past years, many children have prayed
to receive Christ into their lives. Please
consider giving a special gift to one of
our urban youth this summer by
sponsoring them for camp.
While we ask the parents to contribute
$25.00 to send their child to camp, the
actual cost is $390.00 per child for the
seven weeks. You can sponsor a child
for one week for $65.00, for the whole
summer for $390.00, or with any
amount you wish to give.
Volunteers are also needed to provide
meals, snacks, chaperone trips, and
teach enrichment activities.
_____ Yes, I want to sponsor a Child/Job Trainer/Camp Teacher for Camp!
____ $ 65.00 One Week ____ $1,850.00 Job Trainer
____ $ 390.00 All Summer ____ $2,250.00 Camp Teacher
____ $ ___________________ Other
Checks should be made out to “Summerhill Community Ministries” with
“Summer Camp” specified in the memo line. All donations are tax deductible