A chance for young people to "Love one Another"
A day to chill with God, love and basketball
Calvary Baptist Church of Pacoima is hosting the second “Youth & Young Adult Love Summit” today - Saturday, Sept. 8, from noon to 5 p.m. at Hubert Humphrey Park, located at 12560 Filmore St., in Pacoima.
The day is geared toward steering young people away from gangs by focusing on a day of prayer, ministering and fellowship. There will also be a three-on-three basketball tournament (registration for tourney begins at 9:30 a.m. on a first come, first served basis). There will also be plenty of food, music, games and ministry booths.
Families and friends who have lost a loved one to gang violence, or any homicide, are encouraged to participate in a special dedication and “memorial wall,” where they will be allowed to post photos of their loved ones.
I met one of the organizers of this event, Lela Jones, through the church’s Broadous family, while I was working on a story about a Latino gang targeting blacks.
Jones’ son, Torrey, an African American, was killed in 2003 by a black man who police believe was a gang member. Torrey’s death is a reminder that most gang homicides in Los Angeles are committed by and against people of the same race.
The remarkable thing is Jones has dealt with this tragedy, in large part, by pouring her heart and soul into this summit, which targets some of the same type of kids who did her son harm.
If you’re so inclined, please attend this event.
Let the cynics say what they will. I say, thank God for people like Lela Jones.