Writer
Tenesha Hughes
Bridge to College has done it again. Giving students the opportunity to learn more about Homewood and encouraging them it's not too late to make a difference in their community.
On June 24, 2014, Dr. John Wallace Jr. spoke with students in the Bridge to college program about the rich history and potential of Homewood. Wallace is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh and also the pastor of Bible Center Church, which was the form Rite Aid building. He had renovated many things through the community, doing his best to make Homewood feel more like "home". Students had a chance to see, first hand, images of the "old" Homewood compared to recent pictures of the community today.
"My purpose today was to listen to young people and their concerns, but also to talk to them about the history of Homewood and the opportunities that are before them partially as it relates to the Pittsburgh promise", said Wallace.
Students seemed to be very engaged in the presentation, and had many questions and concerns. They focused a lot of their questions toward their schools and lack of attention they receive. Dr. Wallace's presentation helped them understand they have the power the change that.
"I think that they acknowledge some of the challenges [of] the school for example are on both the students and the teachers--which I think is important. They recognize that they have responsibility." said Wallace.
Homewood has a reputation of violence. Wallace made it a point to speak about this issue and get some of the student feedback on the topic. "Murder in Homewood, $5,000 Reward." Billboards with similar messages can be seen throughout the community. The billboards have pictures of individuals, mostly young black men, who have fallen victim. The billboards offer rewards for anyone who will speak up and provide information about the crimes.
Some students said they feel the billboards are fake, others said they don't really notice them anymore, because it has become so common. Wallace says he's concerned.
"'I think some of the issues around violence they have become desensitized to. That's very concerning."
Towards the end of the presentation students showed that they were really enjoyed seeing what their community looked liked before today. They we're encouraged to go out and change Homewoood in a positive way. Wallace explained that he wants inspire young people to have ownership and responsibility.
"I think that they were interested in looking at some of the old pictures of Homewood, and seeing what the community was, and so I'm trying to inspire them to take a sense of ownership and responsibility and increase their hope in what the community can be, and that they can actively be involved in making an effort."
Dr. Wallace is very actively involved in the community. He helped start the Homewood Children's Village, purchased a number of abandoned properties and used them for positive purposes. Such as hosting activities for the Homewood Children's Village, providing transportation to young people using the church buses. He also purchased the former Rite Aid building, which had been vacant since 2001 and begun providing worship service on every Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
The Bridge to College program meets every week day. Seminars are held on Mon and Tues on the 2nd floor of the Homewood, Carnegie library starting at 1 pm. Students attend the seminars after their project classes. The seminars are designed to encourage the students, and also giving them exposure to a variety of new topics.
Tenesha Hughes
Bridge to College has done it again. Giving students the opportunity to learn more about Homewood and encouraging them it's not too late to make a difference in their community.
On June 24, 2014, Dr. John Wallace Jr. spoke with students in the Bridge to college program about the rich history and potential of Homewood. Wallace is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh and also the pastor of Bible Center Church, which was the form Rite Aid building. He had renovated many things through the community, doing his best to make Homewood feel more like "home". Students had a chance to see, first hand, images of the "old" Homewood compared to recent pictures of the community today.
"My purpose today was to listen to young people and their concerns, but also to talk to them about the history of Homewood and the opportunities that are before them partially as it relates to the Pittsburgh promise", said Wallace.
Students seemed to be very engaged in the presentation, and had many questions and concerns. They focused a lot of their questions toward their schools and lack of attention they receive. Dr. Wallace's presentation helped them understand they have the power the change that.
"I think that they acknowledge some of the challenges [of] the school for example are on both the students and the teachers--which I think is important. They recognize that they have responsibility." said Wallace.
Homewood has a reputation of violence. Wallace made it a point to speak about this issue and get some of the student feedback on the topic. "Murder in Homewood, $5,000 Reward." Billboards with similar messages can be seen throughout the community. The billboards have pictures of individuals, mostly young black men, who have fallen victim. The billboards offer rewards for anyone who will speak up and provide information about the crimes.
Some students said they feel the billboards are fake, others said they don't really notice them anymore, because it has become so common. Wallace says he's concerned.
"'I think some of the issues around violence they have become desensitized to. That's very concerning."
Towards the end of the presentation students showed that they were really enjoyed seeing what their community looked liked before today. They we're encouraged to go out and change Homewoood in a positive way. Wallace explained that he wants inspire young people to have ownership and responsibility.
"I think that they were interested in looking at some of the old pictures of Homewood, and seeing what the community was, and so I'm trying to inspire them to take a sense of ownership and responsibility and increase their hope in what the community can be, and that they can actively be involved in making an effort."
Dr. Wallace is very actively involved in the community. He helped start the Homewood Children's Village, purchased a number of abandoned properties and used them for positive purposes. Such as hosting activities for the Homewood Children's Village, providing transportation to young people using the church buses. He also purchased the former Rite Aid building, which had been vacant since 2001 and begun providing worship service on every Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
The Bridge to College program meets every week day. Seminars are held on Mon and Tues on the 2nd floor of the Homewood, Carnegie library starting at 1 pm. Students attend the seminars after their project classes. The seminars are designed to encourage the students, and also giving them exposure to a variety of new topics.