This month, Alexzandria was among several dozen East Bay young people who took part in the Summer Nonviolence Leadership Training project offered by the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center, a nonprofit group that exposes young people to social causes.

Participants between 12 and 17 came from Oakland, Richmond, Berkeley, San Leandro and El Cerrito. There were workshops on the history of the Civil Rights Movement, racism, the root causes of violence, gang prevention, global peace, environmental justice and ecology, youth leadership skills and using art for social change.

"I got involved after my brother died," said Timms, 13. "I learned how the system is out here and how to use nonviolence (for change).

"We need more conflict resolution (programs in Oakland schools)," Timms said during a cookout and graduation ceremony at the center Saturday, a day marking the 41st anniversary of King's march on Washington, D.C., where he delivered his "I have A Dream" speech.

Jeremee Walter Jamal Timms, a Fremont High School student, was shot in the 1000 block of 82nd Avenue near Rudsdale Street, a few blocks from his home in East Oakland. Police declined Monday to discuss the investigation but said there are "promising leads."

During the past month, young people at the King center kept journals, prepared presentations and ran projects -- from helping to set up daily workshops or leading sessions to making meals.

Several high school interns raised more than $3,000 in donations from East Bay businesses.

The center is at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline Park at 7250 Doolittle Drive, an oasis of peace and tranquility far from the fear and violence that too often grips inner city neighborhoods.

The center is the brainchild of East Oakland community activist Ira Jenkins, who relocated to Michigan four years ago. Jenkins was best known for organizing neighborhoods and leading the annual peace march on King's birthday.

"This (center) was Ira Jinkins' dream, there's no corner store nearby, it's peaceful," said Claire Greensfelder, executive director of the center. which recently received a $98,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, with the support of U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland.

"We had planned to enroll 12 young people but we took 24 after we interviewed 55," Greensfelder said.

Students said the program was educational and inspiring.

"It was interesting to learn ways to seek nonviolence," said Saidah Asano-Brooks, 16, an Oakland Technical High School student. "We need more programs to keep young people off the streets."

Her sister, Sachiko, 19, a biology major at UC Santa Cruz, worked as a program assistant. "Young people can affect change ... and with all the cultural diversity represented by people in the program, there was a chance to get many perspectives," she said.

Luis Silva, 16, a student at the Life Academy at Fremont High School, said he learned about Native Americans, the Black Panther Party and contemporary lessons, such as nutrition.

"I'm trying to get away from fast foods ... because of the chemicals used (in food preparation) you're not getting what you think you are eating," said Silva.

Oakland Tribune: General Contact Information
401 13th Street
Oakland, California 94612
(510) 208-6330 Switchboard
(510) 293-2709 Online Content
www.oaklandtribune.com