MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Frayser community leaders told WREG Thursday, plans were underway to keep students busy and out of trouble this summer.
Juvenile violence has been an especially large concern over the past year, with violent teenage mobs taking over a Kroger parking lot and a BP gas station.
Over the years, the Frayser area struggled with its share of crime and blight.
Community groups worked diligently to prevent trouble over the students’ summer break.
“My biggest concern is safety. When children have idle time, they tend to do things that are unsafe,” said Shelby County Schools School Board Member Stephanie Love about this summer.
She said two Frayser community centers are holding summer camps.
Scholarships are available to those camps.
Pastor DeAndre Brown with Lifeline to Success said he spends the year working with youth.
He said he tries fighting blight in neighborhoods with his Blight Patrol, and he maintains “Success Zones” outside two Frayser schools.
They worked to keep the streets clean and paid attention to the children as they walk to and from school.
Brown said he has room for up to 30 at-risk young people for this summer’s Junior Blight Patrol, depending on funding.
“We put them to work for us through our partnership with the Achievement School District, and we mentor them,” Brown said.
Both Shelby County Schools and the Achievement School District said it would offer summer programs in the Frayser area.
SCS said there would be an Elementary Intervention and Promotional Program at Lucie E. Campbell Elementary School, and a School Age Child Care Program at Hawkins Mill Elementary School.
ASD said they would be offering a Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools’ summer school program that aims to improve literacy and empower children.
It’s also offering another summer institute.
WREG also spoke with Girls Inc., an organization that provides programs for girls in the community.
This summer, it’s hiring five girls from the Frayser area to grow food in a garden.
The girls will earn money.
