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Summerhill
Community Ministries SERVING INNER-CITY YOUTH & FAMILIES IN
Newsletter ~ April 2009 THE DOWNTOWN ATLANTA AREA
Senseless Shootings
Out of the Mouth of Children
Leading up to our Spring Break, we all
looked forward to rest and fun free
time! But for some of our after- school-
program kids, this spring break will
be remembered for it’s tragic
outcome. On April the 7th, 3 teens
were shot in our community. 2 of them
were brothers, and the 3rd was a
player on our 15-under basketball
team. He was shot in the leg and is
recovering at home. The older
brother, a 10th grader at Carver High
school was killed. His brother is in
critical condition at Grady Memorial
From left to right the AB Honor Roll “AB” students & Principals List hospital.
“P” students are (back row) Antavious(AB), Marquell(AB), Tallion
(P), Myleondre(P), Asia(P), Jermaine(P), Bianca(P), Adrieanna(AB), Several of our elementary students,
(front row) Niqua(AB), Joshua(P) were at the scene right after the
shooting. They looked on as this teen’s
body lay bleeding, while paramedics
As I look back over my life , tried to revive him. This mother
buried her son this past Saturday, and
I’ve had accomplishments. I’ve Music has always been my first hopes her younger son will pull
done good deeds. I’ve done bad love. As I grew older I through.
deeds. I’ve made people laugh. traveled playing the drums in
I personally know many of the family
I’ve made love ones cry. I have a group called ‘Divine
members of these 2 boys. They truly
done all these things. Vibrations”. We performed in
need prayer.
different states like Florida,
In the process of trying to figure out
North Carolina, Chicago, New The kids needed to talk about what
who I am, I can remember back
York. We even had the happened when I picked them up from
when I didn’t have a worry in the
opportunity to perform in school. They were still in a bit of shock
world - care free with no problems.
Toronto, Canada. It was fun as they reenacted their accounts of
I was a honor roll student and I
while it lasted. Having the that night. Not being able to hear so
loved the band.
chance to see all these many at once, I told the kids we would
My hero was my father. He taught different places at such a allow them to talk about this more,
me how to respect everyone and young age opened my mind to during our devotion time. As soon as
how to take care of myself. things that were beyond my we got to the Center, we all sat down
Everything that my father said still years. My experiences for devotion.
remains in my head. He was a matured me before my time.
By the time I was in high The kids began to talk about that
handsome guy - also multi-talented.
school, arrogance and pride tragic night. Each shared his own
He could paint, draw, dance, build
became a part of my mentality. feelings and thoughts with respect of
houses and he had the gift to make
I was so confident in who I was the others, as they shared.
anyone feel welcome. My father fell
victim to drugs when I was 8 or 9. that I didn’t listen to anyone. I
(Continued on page 2)
That changed my life in a major got off track venturing off into
way. (Continued on page 4)

2. April 2009 ~ Page 2 Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.
(Continued from page 1) Jordan closed out in prayer saying,
I then, shared with them the
senseless reason behind all of this
“Lord, help us to say no to gangs
and to be strong and stay off of the SCM Prayer Request
happening. I was told by a family streets and live a better life. Help
member that these 2 brothers have us to listen to good things. Help the
a much older brother (who is a part families of the boys that they be (Names are undisclosed)
of a gang) who got into a fight in alright. In Jesus name.” “D” plays on our 15 and under
another nearby community the basketball team. He has been
week before. The men from this After one of our devotions about
the shootings, one of the Tutors, getting in trouble at school for the
community found out that this guy past 2 years and was finally kicked
they wanted so badly to hurt had 2 feeling overwhelmed and in shock
about what had happened, turned out, and sent to CEP (an alternative
younger brothers. The boys were
to me and asked, "What chance do school in Atlanta). “D” wanted to
outside that night, on their way to a
these kids have and what are they play on our team this year. He had
corner store. 2 cars drove buy, to be encouraged to attend
shooting the boys. The 10th grader suppose to do??!”
practice in the beginning, but soon
was also a part of the gang that his I pulled her away from the kids and started to be one of the first to
older brother was a part of. He saw told her that we keep doing what show up to practice.
the cars and yelled out a gang we are doing, but with even more
quote. It cost him his life. passion and purpose. We continue Coach Emanuel decided to have a
to speak truth and practical positive talking session with the boys. They
Here are some of our kid’s
alternatives to these kids so that discussed making good and bad
responses: decisions. The boys began to share
they will know that they have hope
“It makes me sad that someone and have the power to choose a situations going on in their lives.
would do this to teenagers. They better life by making better The boys were so open and
should have thought twice” choices. We keep God's word engaged that the talk lasted for a
before them and love on them each while.
“I hate the reason they died.”
day that we have them in our care. The next week was a rainy one and
“Gang members are cowards, Coach Emanuel had to cancel a
because they shoot and run and “Choose for yourselves this day whom
practice. “D” then asked Coach.
don’t fight with their hands.” you will serve... But as for me and my
household, we will serve the Lord.” “Can we do the talk thing?” Coach
“We need to say “no” when Joshua 24:15 Emanuel realized just how much
someone ask us to be in a gang.” these boys need positive
“Be strong and courageous, and do the encouragement. Please pray for
“There was so much blood!” work. Do not be afraid or discouraged,
“D” and the other boys on the team
for the Lord God, my God, is with you.”
Jaylen says, “Ms. Justina, I’m going 1 Chronicles 28:20 that are open and hungry for a
to work on my writing. I want to be better way. Pray also pray for
a writer and get a job, so I don’t Coach Emanuel.
have to be on the street.”
P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • justinascm@juno.com • http:www.summerhillcm.com

3. April 2009 ~ Page 3
House Addition Thank You
We all have dreams and desires in project through.
life. One of my desires was to have
Justin and faithful volunteers spent
more space in my home--more
long hours working on our home,
room for my family and for people
after they worked their regular
that we welcome into our home.
jobs. Over the last several months,
Some stay for a few hours, others a
we saw men, women, and children
few days to several weeks at a time.
come through and transform our
Our home has housed many home. Hammering, painting,
children, teens and adults through sanding, measuring, cutting, tiling,
the years. We have all shared the and much more, was the on the
one bath and 3 bedroom house agenda during the fall and winter
with thankfulness to God for His months. Many of those that worked
provision of shelter. shared that it was a pleasure to be
able to help. My family and I were
touched in ways that will stay with
us for life.
The addition was completed for us
to move in, in January, and it is
beautiful!! Our new addition was
built in love by these wonderful
people.
Thank you all, for everything you
have done for us:
Justina Dix
And how faithful is He to send Justin
and Anna Winter to us. Not only to
share their gifts and talents with our
after school program and summer
camp, but also to spear head the
wonderful addition to our house.
They helped raise funds and
gathered a host of hard working
volunteers, putting in money and
hours and hours of work to see this

4. April 2009 ~ Page 4 Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.
(Continued from page 1)
Our 18-under team,
my own world. This little world I
won the
put myself in consisted of sex,
championship. This
hanging out with friends, sports,
and music. This path lead me to was the first year the
trophy was not
unhealthy relationships. I
available on the day
graduated from high school late,
of the game. The
picked-up bad habits such as
team received it the
drinking alcohol and smoking. I
following Saturday.
was in a dark place.
The 15-under team
My mother taught me the Word of
God and I was raised up going to placed 5th. Go
Teams!
church. Because of this, I was never
at ease doing the things I was
doing. In the midst of all the wrong
I had done, God still had mercy on
Sponsor a Child/Job Trainer/Camp Teacher for
me. I repented for the wrong I had
done and God allowed me to get Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc. - Camp 2009
back on track. I finished school and With summer quickly approaching, to receive Christ into their lives. Please
went on to college at Atlanta children in Summerhill, Peoplestown, consider giving a special gift to one of
Technical College as a master Mechanicsville, and Grant Park will be our urban youth this summer by
barber. I am a father to my in need of constructive activities. With sponsoring them for camp.
beautiful daughter Tashawna Emani your help these children can
participate in SCM’s Inc. Summer While we ask the parents to contribute
Dix.
Camp. $25.00 to send their child to camp, the
I am a teacher, coach and a mentor actual cost is $390.00 per child for the
at Summerhill Community Our camp is a quality, God centered seven weeks. You can sponsor a child
Ministries. I love my job. I love the camp where the young people can for one week for $65.00, for the whole
learn the Bible, receive love and summer for $390.00, or with any
children that I interact with. I love
encouragement from staff and caring amount you wish to give.
the Lord for giving me another volunteers, and participate in
chance. I hope to fulfill the purpose enrichment activities and trips. In the Volunteers are also needed to provide
that He has designed for me. The past years, many children have prayed meals, snacks, chaperone trips, and
one gift that I’m most thankful for is teach enrichment activities.
the ability to communicate with the
children. To be able to listen to
____ YES, I want to volunteer this summer ____________________________________
their thoughts and feelings is one of
(area of interest)
the best ways to understand their
Name _____________________________________________________________________
needs.
Address: __________________________________________________________________
It is surprising to see how today’s
youth live in the environment that City: ________________________ State: __________ Zip: _________________
surrounds them and still find a way
to smile. I’m here to encourage that Phone: ____________________________ _____ YES, please mail me the newsletter
smile. My desire is to say _____ YES, save postage and EMAIL the newsletter to me at:
something positive, do something
positive, and be someone that is Email: ____________________________________________________________
positive. Emanuel Dix
_____ Yes, I want to sponsor a Child/Job Trainer/Camp Teacher for Camp!
____ $ 65.00 One Week ____ $1,850.00 Job Trainer
____ $ 390.00 All Summer ____ $2,250.00 Camp Teacher
____ $ ___________________ Other
Checks should be made out to “Summerhill Community Ministries” with
“Summer Camp” specified in the memo line. All donations are tax deductible
P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • justinascm@juno.com • http:www.summerhillcm.com