Indianapolis, Indiana – A central Indiana organization has unique approach in dealing and tackling the crime in the area.
“City Life,” is the ministry connected to “Central Indiana Youth for Christ.” Their approach seems to be very simple and effective in the same time.
The organization has comprised list of young people who they think can do much better in life if they get a little bit more love, guidance and support in their lives.
“We want to step into their world and be intentional about their relationship with them,” said Danny Marquez.
Marquez says that Indianapolis is his home despite the fact he is coming from Bronx.
“Not long ago I went into Marion County Correctional Facility. I talked with a repeated offender, and I asked, ‘why you keep coming back?’ He said, ‘I get a mentor and I do good, my mentor drops me.’ I looked at him and I said, ‘we will never drop you,’” said Marquez.
Currently, the crime rate in the city and in the are in general is hitting record high numbers. According to Marquez, it has never been more urgent than now to make a plan that works in lowering the crime in the city. There are guns and shootings everywhere, even a small misunderstanding ends up with a shooting. People are dying, he says.
“There’s hope to see crime shifted. It has to come from a place where young people are seeing a role model,” said Marquez.
“What we are doing is we are stepping to them. Showing up at the parks the schools wherever they are, we are showing up and being present. We are showing up and building relationships with them through building relationships with young people we will start to see transformation,” said Marquez.
“At City Life, we park ourselves in some of the worst neighborhoods,” said Marquez.
