August 25th in Norfolk: Conference to Address Bullying
By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide
Organizers of the Stop the Violence Back to School Conference predict some 300 youth and adults will attend an Aug. 25 event at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Norfolk.
LEVOC Family Services will host the event at Mt. Lebanon Baptist at 1141 Campostella Rd., in Norfolk from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event will feature many civic leaders and experts, including Norfolk City Councilman Paul Riddick, motivational speaker and author Samuel Adams, as well as representatives from area social service agencies, and the sheriff’s departments in Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Norfolk.
“You should come because stopping the violence is everybody’s responsibility,” said Chloe Jones, director of administration and special projects for (LEVOC) Life Engaged through Vision Outcomes and Character Family Services.
“The lawmakers and police departments are going to weigh in on the issue,” Jones continued. “We need to learn how to help our children respond to aggressive behavior. We need to take back our community.”
How do you spot a bully or protect yourself from one? How do you keep your family’s life assault free? How do you report aggressive behavior? The conference aims to answer all of these questions by examining bullying, physical abuse, theft, name calling and other threatening acts.
Newport News Barber Fights Violence —One Haircut at a Time
By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide
Terry Riddick and his siblings learn a lot about troubled youngsters while trimming sideburns, or cutting and braiding hair for free.
Riddick and his four siblings founded Best Kept Secret -Stop the Violence. Org in August 2005. Seven years later, the organization is launching a fundraising drive for a new building. The proposed $10 million facility will offer several programs for at-risk children including the Safe Haven Program that will provide homework help, free meals, as well as recreational and educational activities.
“Right now we are trying to get celebrities to come and perform concerts to raise money,” said Riddick, founder of the organization. “We have contacted Meek Mills, Vivica Fox, Morris Chestnut, Trey Songz, and others.” But the group already has a busy summer schedule planned.
The Stop the Violence free out-of-school cookout will be held June 16 at 2326 Madison Ave., in Newport News from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The first free concert will be held June 19 starting at 11 a.m. in downtown Newport News at Lincoln Park. From 50-100 vendors are expected. Vendor prices range from $150-$200. Vendors can contact Terry Riddick at 725-1199. The deadline is June 16 for vendors to reserve a space.
“We are about walking the walk and getting things done,” said Riddick, who launched the organization seven years ago after his 28-year old cousin Eric E. Ralph was shot and killed in August 2005 outside the Saratoga section of Suffolk. Rather than retaliating, Riddick and his siblings decided to use their knowledge of the streets and the talent they’d acquired in a rap group with Ralph to mentor young people.