Taylor moves forward

Rev. plans early prevention program

By JESSE HELLING, Messenger staff writer
Springtime brought the Rev. Madai Taylor to the streets in an effort to confront drug activity in Pleasant Valley.

This summer, Taylor will work to prevent such activity before it starts.

Throughout April, Taylor, of the Agape Church Wheel of Compassion Ministries, conducted a campaign to protest against drug activity in his church’s neighborhood.

With the sidewalk as his pulpit, Taylor preached from the corner of 10th Avenue Southwest and Southwest 12th Street, an identified hotbed of drug activity.

The results of that campaign were, in Taylor’s opinion, successful.

“People in the neighborhood have seen change,” he said. “People are a little more cognitive.”

Having attempted to dissuade those who sell and use drugs, Taylor’s next project is aimed at youth who could follow that path without guidance.

The Early Intervention and Prevention Program will commence shortly after area schools dismiss for the summer, said Taylor.

The program, which will operate out of the Agape church, located at 924 Eighth St. S.W., will provide education addressing substance abuse, Taylor said.

‘‘We’re hoping to deal with elementary school children,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re going to talk about peer pressure and empowering children not to become a victim of drugs.’’

In the program, participating children will receive a great deal of information about how — and why — to avoid drug use, Taylor said.

‘‘The aim of this program is to educate as many young people as possible,’’ he said.

Videos and activities with volunteers will form a large part of the program, Taylor said.

‘‘We’re still looking for volunteers,’’ he said. ‘‘We need people who work well with children and have a pretty positive, upbeat attitude,’’ he said.

The Early Intervention and Prevention program will meet twice a week from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

An exact starting date has yet to be determined, said Taylor, who said that the program will kick off within days of the beginning of summer vacation.



Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net