Sherman Park Program Receives Grant
From the North Little Rock Times- February 10, 2005
An HBO movie revisiting central Arkansas' gang culture, and featuring a former gangster now working with at-risk youth in North Little Rock (AR), attracted the attention of an Atlanta-based group that has given $5,000.00 toward the Sherman Park Our Club to help continue its efforts.
Vince Insalaco, vice chairman of the board of Butterfly Community Ministries, said the Turner Foundation, established by cable TV mogul Ted Turner, made the donation to the Sherman Park Community Development Corporation, co-sponsor of Our Club.
"What happened was they saw 'Back in the 'Hood' and were so taken by it, they called and wanted to make a contribution," Insalaco said.
The film, a sequel to "Gang War: Bangin' in Little Rock" of 10 years ago, features former gang leader and drug dealer Leifel Jackson, who turned his life around after a stint in prison and now mentors at-risk youth as head of the Sherman Park Our Club.
Jackson has also been named Juvenile Justice Worker of the Year by the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice and received the Josetta Wilkins Courage Award from the state Martin Luther King Commission.
Under the conditions of the grant, Insalaco said, the money will be used for food, clothing, books and medical care.
He added that the response to the "Gang War" sequel, premiered in North LIttle Rock last year, was so strong, a second Our Club program was opened in the Siver City Courts public housing develpment two months ago. Both programs depend on grants and donations for a large part of their operations, Insalaco said.
An HBO movie revisiting central Arkansas' gang culture, and featuring a former gangster now working with at-risk youth in North Little Rock (AR), attracted the attention of an Atlanta-based group that has given $5,000.00 toward the Sherman Park Our Club to help continue its efforts.
Vince Insalaco, vice chairman of the board of Butterfly Community Ministries, said the Turner Foundation, established by cable TV mogul Ted Turner, made the donation to the Sherman Park Community Development Corporation, co-sponsor of Our Club.
"What happened was they saw 'Back in the 'Hood' and were so taken by it, they called and wanted to make a contribution," Insalaco said.
The film, a sequel to "Gang War: Bangin' in Little Rock" of 10 years ago, features former gang leader and drug dealer Leifel Jackson, who turned his life around after a stint in prison and now mentors at-risk youth as head of the Sherman Park Our Club.
Jackson has also been named Juvenile Justice Worker of the Year by the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice and received the Josetta Wilkins Courage Award from the state Martin Luther King Commission.
Under the conditions of the grant, Insalaco said, the money will be used for food, clothing, books and medical care.
He added that the response to the "Gang War" sequel, premiered in North LIttle Rock last year, was so strong, a second Our Club program was opened in the Siver City Courts public housing develpment two months ago. Both programs depend on grants and donations for a large part of their operations, Insalaco said.
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