SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – It was a beautiful day for a walk in the park for a good cause: ending violence in Shreveport.
The Right Way Foundation wanted to make a stand against violence in Shreveport and organized a half-mile march from Queensborough Elementary to Bilberry Park, where 14-year-old Deidrick James was killed in July.
“We’re tired of our young people going to prison so young or dying so young. We really want to advocate for an end to the violence and for people to drop their guns. And once people drop their guns, they need to have something else to do, and that’s what we’re here for,” said Executive Director Lloyd Reliford.
Caddo Commissioner Roy Burrell co-founded Right Way 30 years ago; now the foundation is returning to Shreveport. Burrell hopes Right Way can provide services to community members in his district so they know there are better solutions than violence.
“Queensborough, Ingleside and Warner Park are some of the areas that have more incarcerated people than any other neighborhood in the state. Hopefully we can put programs in place to help with that and also figure out how to create jobs for some of these young people,” Burrell said.
Right Way works on programs and job training to help youth and adults learn skills that will help them find work. James Smith is the owner of J&S Air and Heating and is excited to partner with the foundation.
“I was one of those kids a long, long time ago. I learned a trade. It means a lot to me to help others and show them that there is another way off the streets,” Smith said.
Right Way hopes their message will encourage the community to actively prevent violence before it occurs.
