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Local
Organizations Strive To Keep Youth Safe
Police Caution Against Celebratory Gunfire
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
The City of Tampa, Hills- borough County, and other or- ganizations have never failed to step up to provide activities for students during the sum- mer. But once school com- mences, those activities disappear.
The Pure Poets Society and J.U.I.C.E. (Juveniles United In A Community Effort) keep them busy the entire year with an array of activities, field trips, educational seminars, and technical training,
“As adults, I’m sure we’re getting tired of cleaning up the aftermath of summer. We try so hard to keep our children safe over the summer, but sometimes that’s not always successful,” said Pure Poets and J.U.I.C.E. founder, San- ford “Dr. San Man” Harper, Jr.
“My solution is to provide them with something that will last beyond the summer, and
Charles “Candyman” Coney, and Sanford “Dr. San Man” Harper, Jr.
provide them with skills they will use later on in their adult lives.”
In keeping with his philos- ophy, Dr. San Man solicits for participants, not funds. He said his motivation is to put the young people in a position of earning money and becom- ing viable contributors to their families.
“I’m not just talking about a job. I’m talking about some-
thing they love to do, and will be excited to do every day. There are so many different activities our young people can get involved in, and it will def- initely keep them off the streets.
“The good thing about the way my program is structured is, I try to use the kids already in the program as recruits to bring in more. I have an open- door policy when it comes to parents, and I can’t do any of this without their input and cooperation.”
Any parent who wants to know more about this program can call (813) 531-7687, or visit the Pure Poets society page on Facebook.
During the Fourth of July Holidays, many residents cele- brate by using fireworks. But others celebrate the festivities by firing gunshots into the air.
Unfortunately, each year, someone is injured by bullets that are shot into the air during the festivities. In the past, many people have been seri- ously wounded or killed by falling bullets.
This year, law enforcement throughout the Tampa Bay Area are cautioning residents against firing guns into the air.
On New Year’s Day 2011, Diego Duran was struck in the head by a stray bullet while watching fireworks with his family. The teenager is now 17 years old and will be a senior at Lennard High School in the fall. His grades continue to im- prove along with his memory.
However, he counts on sup- port through a 504 Accommo- dation Plan, which allows him additional time for tests and school projects.
His mother, Ms. Sandy Z. Duran said, “It is everyone’s responsibility to take action if we want to see true results. This includes people who own guns and people who do not own guns. We all celebrate
under the same sky.
“It is important to acknow-
ledge the importance of gun safety and that firearms and al- cohol during a celebration can be deadly,” she said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has released a video about the dangers of ce- lebratory gunfire. The video contains facts, statistics, and testimonials from victims and family members, along with a message from a gun instructor and a dramatization of the ty- pical practice of celebratory gunfire.
The video has been pre- sented to the Hillsborough County public middle and high school students.
The video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=kU8TEMjxtRM.
FYI
Mobile Alzheimer’s Research Suite To Begin Operating Next Month
The University Of South Florida (USF) Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute is the first academic research facility to develop a mobile Memory Research Suite to bring clini- cal drug trials in Alzheimer’s disease to senior communities throughout Florida.
Tuesday morning, June 28, 2016, a ribbon-cutting cer- emony of the new mobile clin- ical research suite was held. The suite begins operation in August.
The Memory Research Suite features a reception area, patient exam room, two testing rooms, an Americans with Disability Act compliant restroom, a phlebotomy area for blood draws as well as cen- tral air conditioning and wire- less Internet access.
The 400-square-foot re- search space will be staffed by clinical experts from the Byrd Institute who will evaluate study participants and admin- ister investigational medica- tions at pre-selected study sites.
Proposed mobile suite lo- cations include memory disor- der clinics, outpatient medical clinics, hospitals, churches, and retirement communities across the state.
For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu.
To schedule an appoint- ment or to learn more about clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease, call (813) 396-0728 or visit http://health.usf.- edu/byrd.
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