Safe Summer program seeks to keep kids out of trouble
Jul 9, 2021 / 10:11 PM CDT
MEMPHIS, Tenn. An event to keep kids out of trouble was in full swing Friday night all across Memphis.
It’s called “Safe Summer”, an initiative put together by several groups, including non-profit Memphis Gunned Down. The goal is to keep community centers open late on Friday nights to give children fun, safe and positive things to do.
Nina Allen-Johnson is with Memphis Gunned Down.
“We have art, entertainment. We have Zumba. We feed them. They have bounce houses,” she said.
The event, which started in 2012, is held every Friday night in July at seven community centers across the city, including the Orange Mound Community Center on Park Avenue, where ninth grader Nehemiah Mason was hanging out Friday.
The sun moved beyond the trees, casting shadows over the yard where small, white candles were being lit as neighbors and family members gathered Monday evening for a vigil in Kelby Shorty s honor.
The group stood in a circle around four, tall, red candles to pray then release balloons red and football-patterned as gatherers shouted: We love you Kelby.
Tosha Thomas talked about Kelby s love for football and playful nature. Kelby played football and loved to smile and laugh, she said. He was told to stay in the driveway and pop fireworks from there. He might have been alive had he been playing in the street.
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July 4th shooting leaves a child dead and two adults injured localmemphis.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from localmemphis.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.