Forum held at Princeton Theological Seminary
By: Jake Uitti
Charles Atkins, a chaplain at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Yardville, said education along with the connection between places of worship and law enforcement is crucial when trying to reach children who face the risk of being taken in by gangs.
Building real, lasting relationships with children is the way to beat the illusion children receive about gangs being a suitable family unit, the Rev. Atkins said in a press conference Thursday at the Princeton Theological Seminary’s Center of Continuing Education.
Building trust is essential, he said.
"We have to engage kids and show them different options for learning," he said.
The Rev. Atkins was one of several speakers at the seminary press conference, held in conjunction with a seminar, "Empowering Communities Against Gang Violence."
In addition to the Rev. Atkins, speakers included the Rev. Iain Torrance, the seminary president; Robert Patten, mayor of Hightstown; and Princeton Borough Police Chief Anthony Federico.
All echoed a need for collaboration among community groups in the face of gang violence and gang temptation.
"People join gangs because they have an urgent need of identity," the Rev. Torrance said.
In order for children to learn new identities and ways of releasing their energy toward more productive ends, he said, people from all areas particularly affluent areas need to come together and seriously, over a long period of time, consider drastic change and new options.
Mayor Patten, a former educator whose wife was until recently the principal at Littlebrook Elementary School in Princeton, said the safety of communities in New Jersey is dependent upon education.
"We have a diversified community with people from all over the world. There should be coexistence where we learn their language and culture, just as they come here and learn ours," he said. "When there is a flavor of insecurity and a lack of confidence in the classroom and a child is only getting bits and pieces of what education is trying to give, that can put a child into a realm that may not be conducive especially when there is another group out there."
Chief Federico noted that law enforcement officials cannot solve the problem on their own. He said a new program in Princeton, called Princeton Youth Project, is meant to address youth concerns and gangs.
This, he said, is not enough. There needs to be more involvement from the entire community from residents, parents and anyone else who can contribute time and funds.
It is a regional problem, not just a problem in the often-neglected inner cities, he said.
In Trenton, where violence is keenly felt, the Rev. Karen Hernandez Granzen of Westminster Church in Trenton is working with the programs called Social Celebrations, Opportunities, Organizations and People. It runs six days a week, she said, aiming to educate children and give them new opportunities and outlets.
The Rev. Atkins said it may not take a long time to make a noticeable change, and that if people can donate their time to teach both children and adults who have been affected by poverty and crime, then a difference can be made.
He said ways to succeed in the world ways to get jobs, ways to learn skills are not always as evident as they may seem. Education, both in the classroom and face to face with peers, can make a tremendous difference.
"I don’t think it has to take that long," he said. "If people come forward, we could see change by the end of the year. I’m talking two months."
He added that if establishments where people leave better than when they came are created and made available to the public, then a good service would have been done.
Mr. Atkins can be reached at [email protected] or (609) 298-6300, ext. 2251.

