Peace on Wheels
An article in the June 18, 2016 issue of the Rockford
Register Star provided shared about the efforts of the
Rockford Community Church in designing a mobile
tech lab to offer children alternatives to crime and
violence.
Following a Dec. 4 shooting, the Rockford Police Department stationed a nuisance-abatement vehicle outside the housing complex where the shooting had occurred. This vehicle was put in place to discourage further crime, but residents said it was too little, too late.
That’s when another vehicle began parking outside the apartments, a 30-foot RV transformed into a mobile tech lab that features eight computer stations taking up two-thirds of the trailer. Volunteers help teach elementary and middle school at-risk children computer programming, processing, graphic design and other high-tech skills. The other third of the trailer has a music-recording studio, along with video production and editing equipment.
Pastor Samuel Sarpiya states that the purpose of the lab is to “catch [the kids] while they are young.” The basic goal is teaching non-violence while also providing instruction in leadership development with an objective of transforming conflict. It is hoped the lab will become a prototype “that can be used as a model across the country.”
Pastor Sarpiya said the strategy is to partner with community volunteers to help teach programming offered at the lab to inner-city youth, to provide them with role-models and alternatives to crime using another outlet besides sports.
The lab is made possible thanks to the Rockford Police Department’s partnership with Pastor Sarpiya, who serves as the department’s chaplain. Another trailer is in the process of being transformed into and art and music lab to be operated in partnership with the Rockford Arts Council. It is expected to be revealed this summer.
Following a Dec. 4 shooting, the Rockford Police Department stationed a nuisance-abatement vehicle outside the housing complex where the shooting had occurred. This vehicle was put in place to discourage further crime, but residents said it was too little, too late.
That’s when another vehicle began parking outside the apartments, a 30-foot RV transformed into a mobile tech lab that features eight computer stations taking up two-thirds of the trailer. Volunteers help teach elementary and middle school at-risk children computer programming, processing, graphic design and other high-tech skills. The other third of the trailer has a music-recording studio, along with video production and editing equipment.
Pastor Samuel Sarpiya states that the purpose of the lab is to “catch [the kids] while they are young.” The basic goal is teaching non-violence while also providing instruction in leadership development with an objective of transforming conflict. It is hoped the lab will become a prototype “that can be used as a model across the country.”
Pastor Sarpiya said the strategy is to partner with community volunteers to help teach programming offered at the lab to inner-city youth, to provide them with role-models and alternatives to crime using another outlet besides sports.
The lab is made possible thanks to the Rockford Police Department’s partnership with Pastor Sarpiya, who serves as the department’s chaplain. Another trailer is in the process of being transformed into and art and music lab to be operated in partnership with the Rockford Arts Council. It is expected to be revealed this summer.
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