Peacemakers in a tough climate

Published Dec 29 2008, 09:05 AM by Ian Donnis

There's not uncommonly a link between a down economy and a rise in violent crime, so the streetworkers based at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence in Providence have their work cut out for them -- more so than usual.

Appropriately, Ed Fitzpatrick took up the streetworkers and their efforts in a column on Christmas:

In trying to broker peace, [Teny] Gross has heard the common refrain of what one side has done to the other. He has heard the grievances of the Israelis and Palestinians, the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, the Providence Street Boyz and Oriental Rascals. He has heard them say: It has always been like this.
But for 7 years now in Providence and for 10 years before that as part of the antiviolence campaign known as the Boston Miracle, Gross has been pursuing change.
Gross, 42, of Providence, graduated with a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School in 2001, and the new issue of Harvard Magazine contains an article about him and the institute. “My job is not pretty — it’s not sending kids to Harvard, or anything fancy,” Gross says in the magazine. “It’s about keeping kids in this city alive between the ages of 14 and 23.”

I've known Teny since we were both living in Boston, and I continue to be impressed by the streetworkers' efforts. For a profile I wrote about the group in 2003, click here.

Filed Under: Jobs/economic development, Crime, Social issues

With apologies to Bill Reynolds . . .

The immigration incarceration complex in Central Falls

Follow the Providence Phoenix

All Blogs

On The Download (2,167)
Phlog (1,425)
Dont Quote Me (520)
Talking Politics (1,524)
Laser Orgy (34)
Outside The Frame (305)

Filed Under: Jobs/economic development, Crime, Social issues

Boston Phoenix
Sign of the times
Published 2/10/2009 by Ian Donnis
Via ProJo: More than 1,200 people have applied to fill 40 new jobs at the state Department of Lab...

Boston Phoenix
Can the Geeks save Rhode Island?
Published 2/5/2009 by Ian Donnis
The small but growing IT-digital media sector centered around Providence has been one of the...

more by Ian Donnis

Rhody's local food movement finds its groove | February 18, 2009

My last post (as Not for Nothing) | February 12, 2009

Tomorrow: Pulitzer finalist Dray at the Athenaeum | February 12, 2009

Ticket to ride | February 11, 2009

Health-care's big moneyman in New England . . . | February 11, 2009

See all articles by: Ian Donnis

Latest Comments

RIP, Mike Penner / Christine Daniels - Penny, I either heard or read a news report (sorry for not sourcing it, but I'm sure it's out there)...

By O-FISH-L on 12-02-2009 in Dont Quote Me

RIP, Mike Penner / Christine Daniels - Mike Penner's story is extremely sad, and the most unfortunate thing about this story, its not the first...

By Penny on 12-01-2009 in Dont Quote Me

RIP, Mike Penner / Christine Daniels - I think the hypersensitivity from the "trans" community is a bit absurd, and smacks of wanting...

By O-FISH-L on 12-01-2009 in Dont Quote Me

DJ Hero: Enter to Win a Free Copy! - I need some help Christmas is coming ang my mother just passed away (I swear to god and on her grave...

By Austin on 11-30-2009 in Laser Orgy

RIP, Mike Penner / Christine Daniels - I reread your earlier piece about Aiden Quinn, but I can't say I understand your logic. Yes, I agree...

By Brian on 11-30-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Latest Comments from Not For Nothing

Peacemakers in a tough climate

Leave a Comment