The City of Columbia’s Youth Violence Prevention Campaign serves to
open the doors of communication between youth and adults to help build
individual and community awareness of youth violence.  Each spring, we
host Youth Violence Prevention Week to show our children that there
are other alternatives to choose.  Violence should never be the
solution.  Through this effort, children from across the City
participate in several activities, discussions and a celebration which
concludes the events for the week.  Forums include discussion topics
about the consequences of violence, as well as methods to avoid
violence.  Our goal is to open the doors of communication between
youth to help strengthen violence prevention and increase productive
alternatives.  In March 2009, we hosted a Praisefest and “Family
Matters” City Expo at Finlay Park.  Judi Gatson, of Kiss 103.1FM did a
live radio remote.  The Teen Forum and the “Truth and Consequences”
Forum were both helpful in this year’s Youth Violence Prevention Week.
This campaign has been extremely beneficial, especially because of
the presence of gang activity in our neighborhoods.

 

Domestic Violence

Councilwoman Devine currently serves as the Chairperson of the City’s
Domestic Violence Task Force.  With South Carolina ranking #6 in the
nation for numbers of women killed by men. October, our Domestic
Violence Awareness month includes several events and forums which
educate citizens on the affects of this critical issue, as well as
services that are available for victims.  These events include the
Annual Domestic Violence Walk as well as the wrap up forum with our
partnering organization, Sistercare Inc.  Representatives from various
organizations including law enforcement, victim’s advocates and
service providers attended the forum.  Nancy Barton director of
Sistercare Inc., serves on our Domestic Violence Task Force and she
has made arrangements for victims to speak at our events and share
their stories.  Sistercare provides services such as emergency
shelters, court advocacy, and community counseling among several
others.  During the month of October, used cell phones are collected
from the City of Columbia and donated to Sistercare Inc. so that they
can be used by victims.  The Domestic Violence Task Force was created
to address this problem in our community and decrease the number of
incidents.  Several victims of domestic violence who reside in the
midlands are impacted by the services that are provided through the
Task Force.

 

Together We Can ….READ

Together We Can is an educational initiative that was formed to
support and enhance student achievement, promote the district’s
success, and encourage the community to become more involved in
Richland One.  Through Together We Can, this reading initiative,
spearheaded by City Councilmembers Tameika Isaac Devine and Dr.
Belinda Gergel, is the first of its kind in Columbia.  The combination
of student/parent involvement coupled with over 100 business and
community leaders makes this project a success.  The initiative, which
is the first of its kind in Columbia, will become an annual effort to
address the issue of illiteracy among youth.  The program includes
promoting the importance of reading to Richland One third grade
students and teaching the children that reading is fun.  A reading day
was held in March 2009, during which over 100 guest readers read
Charley’s Columbia Backyard to Richland One third grade students.  A
family day was held at EdVenture Children’s Museum to conclude the
events for the week.  During the family day, the children and parents
were able to experience music, food and activities which upon
completion, the children could receive a Junior Ambassador Award.

 

Ultimate Summer City-Wide Wellness Challenge

With the help of the staff at the Drew Wellness Center, this
comprehensive 12-week program begins in May and challenges the
citizens of Columbia to take charge of their own health, embrace
healthy lifestyles, and make significant steps towards changing their
lives for the better.  It encourages individuals to focus on good
nutrition and increasing physical activity, through pre and post
health assessments, nutrition classes, and group personal training
sessions.  Personal trainer, Bert Bailey has provided his services and
expertise to help participants reach their fitness goals.  Awards are
given to all individuals who successfully complete the fitness
challenge.  This challenge has been very beneficial to participants by
helping them achieve their health and fitness goals as well as
establish a personal diet and exercise program that is tailored for
their needs.  Additional programs of this type are under development
as we seek to develop a healthy city and healthy communities.