(Columbia, SC) – Recently Richland County residents have seen an uptick in shootings. This may possibly get worse as history shows what happens in the Summer months. However, members of the Lower Richland Community and community partners have banded together for a Summer of intervention methods starting off with a Lower Richland Community Prayer with the Wateree Baptist Association Upper Division scheduled for the early morning hours of June 12th where members of the community will be invited to join together at various locations throughout the Lower Richland Community. Next you have June 13 which is the kickoff for Camp LOTT in which 60 at-risk youth have been sponsored to attend by Activist Brandon Upson, Attorney James Shadd, Councilwoman Chakisse Newton and Representative Jermaine Johnson. Attorney Shadd had this to say about his sponsorship:
“As a villager, I know the importance of playing a role in the lives of our young people. I was inspired by Rep. Johnson’s meeting to join him and others in sponsoring a significant number of children who can benefit in this worthy camp. My hope is that this gesture will assist the kids, their families, and our community to provide safety for all.”
Brandon Upson stated “I decided to invest in our young people because I’m tired of waiting for someone else to do it. Our community deserves every resource available to help prepare our young people for success. Camp LOTT seems like a perfect resource for the times we’re facing.”
There is also a plan for a June 18th job fair in Lower Richland centered around providing young people working opportunities in addition to resources such as expungement and transportation. Additional events are a Stop the Violence event on June 26th in Eastover and a Girls Empowerment Conference at Caughman Rd Park on July 17th. LaKesha Wright says, “We want to let our young ladies in the community know that whatever they go through in life you can make it out. Don’t let your past dictate your future. Also to let them know we are here for you as a community.We are losing to many of our youth girls and boys. “Free 2 be You” means be yourself you don’t have to be a follower be a leader. Trying to save our young ladies from what we have through and the reality of things that’s really going on today.”
These are just a few of the ways the Lower Richland Community has come together to address community concerns with many more in the works. Representative Johnson had this to say. “As a community we are done losing our youth, we are done talking and we are putting boots to the ground and creating actionable plans to address community concerns. I am inviting all who want to be a part of the solution to the table and let’s continue to build from here.”
For questions email info@johnsonforsc.com. For more information visit Johnsonforsc.com
