William Mackey and “Men for Positive Change” held a Youth Crime Town Hearing on August 4th at the Beckett Life Center. This event was centered around the youth giving their thoughts on Philadelphia’s recent surge in gun violence. Finding ways to tackle the violence can be difficult, but Mackey and Men for Positive Change believe a Youth Innovation Center will be one of many solutions to rising above that difficult challenge.
This center will include a Youth Farmers Market, retail opportunities, and programs focused on advanced and alternative career paths.
Mackey will continue working with the Beckett Life Center as they move forward building the Youth Innovation Center. He also hopes that public and private sectors will provide the necessary resources to make the center a reality.
William Mackey and Men for Positive Change have been involved in Youth Empowerment since the mid-1990s. Their mission has always been focused on building leadership and financial opportunities for the youth in our communities. Fast forward to 2021, Mackey is leading the charge in creating a Youth Entrepreneurship Program, which will follow along with the Innovation Center. Both the Youth Innovation Center and Youth Entrepreneurship Program were celebrated at this event.
At the Youth Crime Town Hearing, young people weren’t the only ones talking. Sheriff Rochelle Bilal was joined by G. Lamar Stewart, Community Engagement Chief of the District Attorney’s Office; Smokey Wilson and others who shared their sentiments on the issues plaguing our neighborhoods and what we could do to eliminate them. Sheriff Bilal’s speech is the one that stood out, as she urged teenagers to speak up whenever they see something bad happening. “What’s the ‘No Snitch Policy?’ It’s made by criminals, and it’s for criminals. If you’re not a criminal, then the ‘no snitching policy’ does not apply to you,” Sheriff Bilal stated.
Aside from the speeches given by the guests, the Youth Council for Positive Change gave everyone a detailed letter that will be mailed to President Biden. “Our main goal is to prevent gun violence by coming together as a whole group. The plan is to create more school systems, build a three-story mall center, and provide jobs to keep teens out of the streets. If this change makes a successful turn on Philadelphia, further states can reach the same potential,” the end of the letter states.
Mackey believes that this is a unique approach. He stated, “The city spent millions of dollars on anti-violence initiatives. But something different needs to happen. Their approach needs to be reevaluated.” Mackey stressed that the approach should always be prevention (finding ways to prevent violence) and innovation (creating new jobs and opportunities for poverty-stricken youth). He still believes that juvenile detectives should be stationed throughout the inner city. “Accountability is so important,” Mackey said. “And that’s what juvenile detectives will do. Hold troubled youth accountable.”
The Youth Innovation Center is in the final stages of pre-development. Mackey stated that the center will be located at 901 West Girard Avenue. Mackey and Men for Positive Change look forward to receiving financial and personal support as they move forward in implementing their glorious plan.
