Difference Makers

Youth Group Challenges Each Montgomery Resident

May 23, 2006

For Immediate Release:

For more information contact:
Andrea R. Price at 334-868-0400 or 334-280-0423
or David Boykin at 334-286-0616
Difference Makers, Founders/Youth Advisors
P.O. Box 9131
Montgomery, AL 36108

April 22, 2006

Youth Group Challenges Each Montgomery Resident To Ask ?“Can I Make A Difference?”
During a National & Global Youth Service Day 2006
?“Stop The Violence?” Awareness Campaign Event

In our country today, the greatest threat to the lives of youth is not disease or starvation or abandonment, but the terrible reality of violence. Although, studies suggest that youth violence has improved over the past decade, youth violence continues to be a widespread problem in the city of Montgomery, the state of Alabama as well as the United States.

Difference Makers a youth led faith based organization that focuses on youth leadership and community service learning projects, in a celebration of National & Global Youth Service Day 2006, kicked off a Violence Prevention Awareness Campaign today in the city of Montgomery at the Gibbs Village Community Center.

?“Young people are powerful change makers around the world,?” said Steven A. Culbertson, President and CEO of Youth Service America. ?“They possess the energy and ingenuity to help tackle the world?’s most complex problems, which make them assets and resources for our communities.?”

?“During this ?“Stop The Violence?” project event it is the our hope that youth and adults will leave with information and resources needed to help them with making right choices and avoiding difficult situations,?” said Darryl Price, Difference Makers Public Affairs Officer. The group long term plans are to unite Montgomery together as one to fight against Violence in the city.

?“Difference Makers members believe that knowing the extent of the problem can motivate youth to choose alternatives to violence?”, explains Antwonette Boykin one of the group committee members. The group believes that violent prevention workshops and other resources, especially for teens, will provide them the information they need to prevent or deal with difficult situations involving bullying, dating violence, gangs and other kinds of violence among young people.

Patrick Price the organization?’s vice president says ?“that tackling violence is everyone?’s responsibility.?” He and Daneesha Johnson, the organization?’s president, both agree that violence prevention is essential to the prevention of family and community violence. ?“It is the job of the community, city officials, and law enforcement to send a clear message that violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated - there is no excuse for any type of abuse.?”

How can you help with this effort? By letting your actions challenge each and every person of Montgomery to ask ?“can we make a difference.?” If you would like to make a difference the group invites Montgomery residents to join them this fall during their 2006 Violence Prevention Seminar. We will ask the City of Montgomery, the Montgomery public school system, churches, community organizations, law enforcement, the judicial system and the media to join us in our efforts to educate and train our youth and adults on Violence Prevention. The group?’s efforts will not be as effective without the help of every Montgomery resident.
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Difference Makers is a youth led faith based organization that focuses on youth leadership and community service learning projects. All projects and programs are developed and initiated by youth. The group consists of youth from the ages of 11 to 17 years old.

To find out more information about Difference Makers email us at arprice@bellsouth.net or write us at Difference Makers, P.O. Box 9131, Montgomery, AL 36108. Check out the organization?’s website at www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/differencemakers.

For more information about National & Global Youth Service Day and to see a comprehensive project list, visit YSA website at: www.YSA.org/NYSD.