Seeking solutions

Community group created to curb youth violence

With the recent deaths of two 18-year-old men -- boys, really -- in two separate acts of gun violence, a group of community members have come together in search of tangible solutions to help break the cycle of violence and empower the youth of Fort Dodge.

Next Generation is a grassroots organization led by several individuals who work with local at-risk youth in many capacities -- juvenile court services, probation, schools, Department of Human Services.

Paige Williams, a probation officer who used to work as a student support specialist at the Fort Dodge Community School District, was moved to take action after learning about the May 2 shooting death of 18-year-old Patrick Walker, a former student of hers.

"It's a bunch of people worried about our children and the future of our kids," said Nikkie Summers, behavioral specialist with the FDCSD, and member of NextGen.

"Everyone at our table has their own kids and it's super important to us because this is the environment our kids are going to grow up in," Williams added.

Williams began to reach out to other probation officers and school employees to see what they could come up with together. In all, she's brought about 15 people into the fold so far.

As a community-led group, NextGen wants others in the community to share their ideas for solutions and ways to help steer kids away from violence. A community brainstorming session is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 14 at Rides Bar & Grill, 723 S. 31st St.

The brainstorming session isn't a time to point fingers, assign blame, complain or rehash the same conversations over and over again.

"We all know how we got here," said Valerie Newsome, juvenile court liaison at Fort Dodge Middle School. "It's about how we move forward."

There will be some guidelines for those wishing to speak during the session -- be respectful of both the other ideas presented and of the time, and keep the focus on action..

"We're here to bring solutions to the table, not to elaborate on further problems," said Assistant Webster County Attorney Bailey Taylor.

Taylor works with many of the other people involved in NextGen as she is the main county prosecutor for juvenile and family court cases.

On Monday, the group met to plan the community brainstorming session and to discuss the organization's goals and establish a mission statement -- "Developing positive solutions to empower the next generation."

"We've got to put a break in that cycle [of violence], the circle has to stop," said Chriss Crooks-Rocha, a member of the group.

"Bottom line," Newsome said, "is our kids are not coming home."

The group's goal is to dig deeper into what a specific group of kids needs to help pull them away from a violent or non-constructive lifestyle, Taylor said. They already have some ideas on tangible ways they can engage kids and families to try to make those connections.

One idea is to host a family park night to invite families to enjoy a meal and have games to play in a pro-social setting.

NextGen may be just a couple weeks old, but the group is trying to hit the ground running and begin hosting family events next month. They want to keep that momentum growing, Williams said.

"We don't want to fizzle out," she said.

For more information on NextGen, or to submit ideas for solutions, email aboutthenextgen@gmail.com.