Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Allen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Patricia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
No More Violence Organization started in memory of Deonte (DJ) Johnson September 2011 after his death April 22, 2011. Deonte Johnson was a young man who was loved by many, a young man full of life. A brother of two siblings a wonderful mother, April Richardson. Deonte was an innocent child playing outside his apartment complex when a group of young men outside fighting ran over DJ. Deonte Johnson unfortunately, became brain dead and did not survived at the age of 12 yrs. old. Across the world, teen fighting and violence has become a serious problem and we as the community have to stand together to help the youth make better decision-making. No More Violence Organization is the voice to help seek justice, support, for families of the victims. We’ve created programs to help with the healing process for these parents and prevent these tragedies by reaching the to the youth with the “NMV Youth Convention” which enables awareness of these acts of violence and a platform for the victims’ families to share their stories.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The No More Violence Organization is challenged for every opportunities we have present to give back for the community due to not having the funding to do projects. However, as founders, we continue to step out on faith believing in what we do and Christian beliefs that God will open the door. Many of the events we do, we don’t get the support like we would like to but we work hard to ask and ask for others, and when one door is closed or not a phone call return or email return, we keep pressing forward knowing someone will help. When we look back at the seven years we see how much determination we had and still having to provide for many families, saving children lives through programs we organize and to help others.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about No More Violence Organization – what should we know?
The No More Violence is to campaign against the use of Violence in children by creating a social trend in the sectors of society; including public and media so that awareness will be raised among the community. This campaign is supported by the No More Violence resulting in the change of behavior and attitude. The Organization also mission is to raise awareness to at-risk youth Elementary to High School taking all precautions and preventing violence in children lives by covering all target groups to build a better and safer Community by providing vocational and social services to those target groups. As an organization we feel our goal can reduce violence in the community by providing programs of educating students of violence awareness and help children heal from the trauma of witnessing teen violence, gangs, gun violence, sex trafficking, hazing, suicide, bullying, and family domestic violence to provide appropriate counseling for youth and their families.
The NMV- Organization specializes in these area what makes the organization very unique and set from others because when the organization gets the call from volunteers or word of mouth we are needed when a family has been notified they loss their child to acts of violence, Patricia Allen goes to the hospital and pray for the family, when family needs media, Patricia Allen works closely with media to provide a media outlet to let the community know what has taken place, when the family is making funeral arrangements, the NMV meets with the family to help with funeral arrangements, also NMV creates flyers for candlelight vigils or balloon release to let the community know how they can come out and support the family, NMV also attends the funeral, wake to support the family, help provide food for the family, and help with any paperwork or resources they will need.
The NMV-Organization also provides,
HOSPITALITY
• Hospital visit including (Prayer or Pastoral Care Assistant)
• Home Visit (Assist with Funeral Services)
• Network with partnership organizations (physical, food, clothing, etc.
FUNERAL SERVICE ASSISTANT
• Funeral Home (assist/meet with families at Funeral Home)
• Free Assistant (creating obituary programs- families without insurance)
• Attend Funeral Services (upon availability)
• Attend Wake Service (upon availability)
VICTIMS SUPPORT
• Organize Candlelight Vigil (bring community together)
• Organize Balloon Release
• Media Outlet
• Social Media Outlet
• Create flyers for Balloon Release & Candlelight vigils
• Honor victim Annual Anniversary & Birthday
• Victim Compensation Assistant with Resources
• Crime Stoppers Flyer / Hand out flyers in community
• Trial Appearance support (upon availability)
• Resource Counseling
SURIVING CHILDREN
• To educate consequences and choices
• Youth development
• Job Placement and Skills Training
• Trades
• Youth Initiative
• Support Interventions
• Community Involvement –Community Service Projects
• Counseling Resources
• Convention Violence Awareness Workshops
• Speaking engagement Opportunities
Youth Services Opportunities
• Community Services Opportunities
• Assist with Victims Families
• Community Speaking Engagements
• Outreach
• Educational Violence Workshops
• Travel Opportunities
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Leadership Opportunities
Activities
Youth care and education
• Supporting surviving children daily needs (network with supporting organizations and resource’s)
• Bringing awareness on violence acts
• Sending youth to No More Violence Youth Convention
• Providing clothing and physical needs (network with supporting organizations and resource’s)
Community development
• Develop trade skills for students
• Summer job & training skills
• Community Violence Workshops
Employment
• Accessing skills and career opportunities
• Advocating for access to financial services (training with business owners & entrepreneur)
• Advising for career start
• Leadership training/ Entrepreneur
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The important to gain the trust of the community, dedication, and commitment to the organization knowing the community can count on an organization that will stand no matter what comes there way. This organization won’t give up on the call of duty and to provide more which will make the organization a success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nmvyouthconvention.com
- Phone: 9728057648
- Email: trish4nomore@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoMoreViolenceOrg/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/No-More-Violence-Youth-Convention-1489027678052891/?timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=100000695877529&fref=tag
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