Meridian organizations mentor youth during rise in crime

Over the past few months, the City of Meridian has endured large amounts of crime that is targeted in the younger individual setting. Several groups in the Queen City have taken a stand in mentoring the younger generation to keep them in a positive environment.

“We know that when they’re with us, they’re in a safe environment and they’re actually active and productive in the community," said Misty Carter. "It will just cut down some of the crime.”

Misty Carter is the director of the Carter Foundation Sisterhood Program which gives girls ages 12 to 18 educational and instilled values of life.

“We take them on fun, educational field trips," said Carter. "We do home-economics and tell them about different life skills they would come across. We mentor and instill value in them to believe they can achieve anything they set forth.”

Statistics say students who attend after school programs show a higher performance in school and improved behavior than students who do not. Adrian Cross of the Meridian Freedom Project says although they’re virtual during this time, the purpose remains the same.

“We try to make it engaging, we try to make it interesting and we try to make it educational and informative for our Freedom Fellows," said Cross. "Not only so they would want to log in, but we keep the true nature of what our program is meant to be.”

Influential guidance plays a big part in the project.

“It’s all about keeping the youth’s mind engaged in order to take up that space that would otherwise be taken up by crime or negative influences," said Cross.