Kitchen Still Closed for Local Gang Members

Tools

by FOX Charlotte

Story Created: Nov 8, 2011 at 12:35 AM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 8, 2011 at 12:35 AM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Inside the Greenville Neighborhood Center, there's a rundown kitchen that will one day provide local gang members in hot water with the chance to whip themselves into shape.

At least, that's the plan.

County commissioners accepted $340,000 federal grant dollars for the culinary program last November.  In March, the community center was re-opened.     

But then - nothing. At least not in Vilma Leake's opinion.

The county commissioner has reportedly said the grant money wasn't used for the culinary program and that nothing has been done.  We tried to ask her ourselves but Leake failed to return multiple phone calls to two numbers.

Instead, Leake's colleague, Commissioner Jennifer Roberts, weighed in.  She says, "My understanding is even though it's been a little bit delayed, it's actually not scheduled to be opened until spring of 2012 anyway.  It's not atypical for a grant to take a couple years to actually implement."

The director of CMPD's Gang of One program, Fran Cook, tells us Leake has been updated on the status of the project.  Cook denied our request for an on-camera interview but says next month, the estimated $145,000 kitchen project will be put out to bid.  Construction will begin in January.  The program will begin accepting gang members in April, well before the grant "deadline" of June 30th.

We asked the director of the Gang of One program if there is any evidence that culinary programs help gang members. She pointed to a program called Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles.  Started in 1988, it is now the largest gang-intervention program in the country, which is success Charlotte hopes to replicate.

Roberts says, "From what I understand from the officers working with the youth, from the Gang of One program and from people who've done a lot of careful research, that it will be something that will be appropriate."

About $195,000 grant dollars have so far been spent on repairs and cleaning at the neighborhood center.  The Gang of One is currently providing programs like job and life skills at the center.

blog comments powered by Disqus

What's On TonightFull Schedule

8:00
hells kitchen
9:00
does someone have to go