Ensley event aims to reduce violence, helps families with clothes ...

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Brenda Paige Ward should have been celebrating her son's 23rd birthday Monday.

Ra'Sheed Ward was 19 when he was shot and killed on Terrace S in Ensley the night of June 17, 2010. She said he and a friend of his were standing around when someone gunned down 24-year-old Keith Hilson. Ra'Sheed was hit three times and died at UAB Hospital, she said. His friend was hit in the buttocks and the wrist but recovered.

Since then, Brenda Ward has been trying to bring peace to her community. On Monday, she organized an event at Central Park Recreation Center where children in and around Ensley could come together, get some clothes and school supplies, and see something positive in their community.

Ward ran this event, and runs others, through the organization Refuge in Troubled Times.

"We wanted to be a refuge for those who are hurting and grieving over the loss of their children," she said.

At Monday's event, which lasted about two and a half hours, the group gave out clothing and food and local barbers offered free haircuts before the start of school. The food and school supplies were all donated by various organizations.

But Ward wanted it to be about more than just giving away goods; she wanted it to be about family and community.

"We asked that the parents -- not their grandmother -- be here with the kids in order to get school supplies," she said.

In addition to food, clothes, school supplies and haircuts, people were able to learn about different programs in the community, including educational opportunities and the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

Four representatives with the Girl Scouts were passing out information, trying to recruit as many girls as possible. The organization is reaching out to girls in under-served areas and those who are at risk because of social situations, volunteers said. A troop meets regularly at Central Park Elementary School in Ensley, representative Shawana Ariel said.

Rhonda Rutledge was handing out bags of school supplies and baby clothes and said she's been volunteering and working in the community since two of her sons were shot. An event like this, she said, sets an example for young children.

"We're starting out with the young children first," she said. "They don't have positive role models so when they see things like this it gives them hope."

She said events like these make the whole community better.

"We've got to keep trying," she said. "We can't give up."

Six-year-old Yana Davis was there with her parents. She performed for the crowd -- she wants to be a model when she grows up -- and enjoyed some free cake and ice cream in addition to picking up some school supplies.

"I got books and I got some jeans," she said.

Ted Turner brought his son, 10-year-old Darius Colston, for a haircut, a snack and some school supplies. Turner said he appreciated that the children in the area had a place to come together and have fun in a safe environment.

"They ain't got nowhere else to bring kids together," he said.

Source: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/07/ensley_event_aims_to_reduce_vi.html

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