INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) said it’s putting it’s money where its mouth is to put an end to youth gun violence.

This comes after two teens were killed and five others injured during a mass shooting in downtown Indianapolis last weekend.

The FOP donated to Young Men, Inc.‘s summer empowerment camp that’s been around for 31 years.

Nehemiah Bridgewater started coming to the camp at 10 years old. He’s now 18 and a camp counselor.

“I’ve learned how to respect myself and respect others,” Bridgewater said. “I’ve learned what it means to be a child of God. I’ve learned a lot at this camp for the last eight years.”

Most of the campers raised their hands in the air when asked if they’ve been impacted by violence in the community. The camp is teaching them to do the right thing and avoid violence, but it’s in financial trouble because of loss of funding.

“Quite sure it was federal,” said Rev. Malachi Walker, director of Young Men, Inc. “We’re funded by the Department of Child Services as one of their prevention programs. They told us not to really expect whatever you received in the past, or anything like that. So, we don’t know what we’re going to get, if any. If we don’t get any, then we just won’t have funds to complete the whole entire summer.”

The FOP is helping out by giving the camp $5,000 to get by.

“We do at least this every year,” said Rick Snyder, president of the Indy FOP. “I just challenge the community to put your money where your mouth is. There’s somebody in this city right now that can write a check and do an endowment for this program to where it never goes away.”

Bridgewater said they don’t want funding to impact their mission.

“We would definitely find a way to push through, even if some trips have to be canceled,” Bridgewater said. “We’ll still try to find a way to have fun down here.”

With the donation from the FOP, the campers will be able to go on their yearly college campus tour.
This year, they’re going to the University of Akron.

About The Author

See author's posts