In Nashville’s low-income neighborhoods, violence is an everyday fact of life. Gangs recruit the young, stealing their childhood and, often, their life—creating a public health issue for all Nashvillians. Homicide is today the No. 1 cause of death among African-American boys ages 10-24. Nashville Peacemakers was founded by North Nashville resident Clemmie Greenlee after losing her only son Rodriguez in a gang-related shooting. The nonprofit gives youth in distressed neighborhoods the basic life skills and self-worth to choose peaceful alternatives to violence, and to support the mothers whose child has been victimized. Nashville Peacemakers is planning a spring 2020 fundraiser and is looking for volunteer committee members to start planning this September. If interested, contact board chair Deborah Borfitz at debborfitz@gmail.com.
