Two weeks ago, his friend was stabbed to death in Lowell over less than $100 worth of marijuana. His cousin was killed under similar circumstances.
Justice Wright, 16, grew up in Oakland, California surrounded by people entrenched in gang life, drugs, violence, and prostitution.
“I had to grow-up fast, step up and be a man – everyone did,” Wright told a crowd of legislators, police, community organizers and non-profit leaders in front of the State House’s Grand Staircase Monday afternoon as Gov. Charlie Baker announced $7.74 million in Shannon Grant funding to programs in 27 cities throughout the Commonwealth targeting gang violence. “I knew this wasn’t the life I wanted for myself. ”
Wright moved to Lowell two years ago, and says he was “finally able to have a peaceful sleep,” not having to look over his shoulder, being able to play basketball at the basketball court without being drawn into a gang, drugs, or gambling.
Wright admits Lowell has its share of problems with violence and drugs, but credits organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell and Lowell Community Health Center’s TeenBLOCK with keeping at-risk teens like himself on the right path.
“You can’t run from your problems, but you can rise above them and surround yourself with people who have the same mindset as you; that’s what I did,” he said, explaining he co-founded the band B6, who hope to make it big and give back to the community, and is heavily involved in TeenBLOCK’s Dance 4 Peace.
Wright is a Youth Leader of the Boys & Girls Club’s Music Clubhouse and participant in the Teen Summer Nights program, supported by the Shannon Initiative to provide a safe and positive place for teens in the city during the most vulnerable time of the year.
“If it wasn’t for the Club having my back and believing in me, I honestly don’t know where I would be,” Wright said.
Lowell will receive $581,262.41 in Shannon Grant funding this year, which is provided to the Lowell Police Department and passed through local organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, UTEC, CMAA, and the Lowell Community Health Center that provide services and programming aimed at diverting young people from violence and gang life. Additionally, UMass Lowell, one of the Shannon Grant’s Local Action Research Partners will receive $50,000 for their Lowell site, $29,709.61 for their Lawrence site, and $29,709.61 for their Haverhill site.
“Shannon Grant funding has been an important tool for the Lowell Police and community organizations to keep at-risk youth off the streets,” said Sen. Ed Kennedy. “I have no doubt these programs have saved thousands of lives and I’m thrilled to see the funding continuing to come to the city.”
Maryann Ballotta, Lowell Police Department’s Director of Research and Development, said from 2015-2018 programs supported by Shannon Grant funding in Lowell have served more than 11,000 young people and provided 1,300 additional patrols of crime hot spots by the force’s Gang Unit. Gang related incidents have fallen by 8 percent in the city during that time.
Ballotta said in her 12 years at the LPD she has seen first-hand how Shannon Grant funding has worked to strengthen the partnerships between the police and a variety of community organizations
Shannon Grant funding has been used to boost summer staffing for the LPD’s Gang Unit and fund the LPD’s Student Police Academy for kids, as well as LPD’s Safe Summer Movie Nights throughout the city.
“Our municipal and local partners are on the front lines of combatting the gang violence that threatens the safety and well-being of everyone in their communities,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “It is our honor to partner with them and members of the Legislature to support a program that helps get young people back on track and makes our communities safer.”
Looking into the audience, Polito
Her shout-out was rewarded with the familiar rousing call back from one member of the crowd of “U-TEC!”
“The opportunity to support community based initiatives and learn from community based initiatives is a big part of what our role on Beacon Hill is all about,” Baker added.
