10-14-2005 South Bend Weed & Seed Alliance Hosts Open House and Community Resource Fair

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South Bend Weed& Seed Alliance Hosts Open House and Community Resource Fair Page 1 of 2 � v%• 'Building a 21St Century City " Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor RELEASE FROM: FOR RELEASE: Office of the Mayor Friday, October 14, 2005 South Bend Weed & Seed Alliance Hosts Open House and Community Resource Fair The South Bend Weed and Seed Alliance, Inc. (SBWSA) in conjunction with the Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment (PIT) committee will host a Safe Haven Open House and Community Resource Fair on Monday, October 17, 2005, at the Charles Black Recreation Center, 3419 W. Washington Street. The event is the kick off to the SBWSA discussions with young people to encourage positive behavior and citizenship. The Open House and Fair is from 6:00 p.m., to 8:00 p.m. and is the first in a series of events of the Weed & Seed Anti-Gang Initiative. A short program will begin the evening, at which time Weed &Seed board members will provide information to parents and youth on how they may get involved in the After School Safe Haven programs. There will also be informational tables and booths highlighting resources available in the Weed & Seed area and the greater South Bend community including alternatives to gangs, drugs and violence. "Members of the newly formed CeaseFire Board will be introduced to discuss their plans to combat violence in South Bend and the Weed and Seed targeted area", according to Mark Dollinger, Weed and Seed Coordinator. The CeaseFire program is a community coalition that started in Chicago, Illinois to stop the gun violence and shootings in selected neighborhoods. CeaseFire involves outreach workers, residents, clergy, and community leaders, spreading the message that violence in our neighborhoods is unacceptable, and that we must work together in an effort to bring about changes in unhealthy behaviors and an end to gun violence. In addition, public education, community mobilization, law enforcement and church participation are components of the overall strategy of the campaign. Weed & Seed supports the CeaseFire program and its commitment to reducing violence in the city. The City of South Bend Weed and Seed program is a federally sponsored community-based program whose purpose is to "weed out" negative and "seed in" positive influences in our neighborhoods. The Weed and Seed strategy embraces a comprehensive approach to law enforcement, crime prevention, and community revitalization. Contact: Mark Dollinger, Weed &Seed Coordinator, 235-7619 Bonnie Strycker, Youth Service Bureau, 235-9231 Back I City Home Page I City Directory I Site Map I Search Go powered by FreeFind http://www.ci.south-bend.in.us/Press/Releases 2005/101405.htm 1/13/2006