Newsletter ~ April 2009 SERVING INNER-CITY YOUTH & FAMILIES IN

THE DOWNTOWN ATLANTA AREA

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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 • justinascm@juno.com • 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 • justinascm@juno.com • 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:

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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