Community groups call for an end to violence

POTTSTOWN »Organizations in Pottstown are letting the community know that they don’t plan to stop working against drugs and violence any time soon.

On Saturday, a small but passionate group of community members got together in Riverfront Park to hold their 10th event in resistance to drugs and violence in the borough. The Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence Crusade is an annual prayer centric community event hosted by Harris Family Ministries to bring awareness and solutions to the drug and violence issues many people face.

“We are committed to bringing about change in Pottstown,” said Valerie Jackson with Harris Family Ministries. “One of the things we want people to be aware of is that there is power in prayer and

as a body of believers, we’re not held to the same standards as the world. We set the standard.”

The family friendly event included several guest speakers including Abdullah Steed, who spoke about his time in prison starting from when he was 17 years old up to his recent release and how prayer helped him during that time.

“We make bad decisions sometimes. We make bad choices,” said Steed. “I’m here today because everybody deserves a second chance. Sometimes people want to hold us down and sometimes people pray for us. Sometimes we have family and friends who pray for us. And I’m telling you believe in the power of prayer. Believe in it because I’m standing before you because of nothing else.”

Following guests and keynote speaker Isiah Jones, the groups held a panel discussion to talk about what the community could do to bring about change. In addition, the day featured several tables from community groups including Celebrate Recovery, The Women’s Center of Montgomery County, The Montgomery County Public Defenders Office and Ervina Beauford Funeral Services, as well songs, a puppet show and crafts for kids.

“We might not see things happening right away but guaranteed, there will be a change,” said Jackson. “You will see the community saying something is different and you’re going to notice a change in the feel and in the lives of the people of Pottstown.”

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Kids showed off their singing skills Saturday during the Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence Crusade in Riverfront Park.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Several area organizations set up tables Saturday at the Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence Crusade in Riverfront Park. Among the groups were the Montgomery County Public Defenders Office, The Women’s Center of Montgomery County and many others.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Community members got together in Riverfront Park Saturday to listen to guest speakers and discuss options for how to make a change in the Pottstown community. The event was the 10th annual Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence Crusade hosted by Harris Family Ministries.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Josiah Jackson, 5, and Evan Jackson, 4, sing a rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” for the crowd at Riverfront Park Saturday during the Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence Crusade.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Guest speaker Abdullah Steed speaks with the community at the Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence Crusade at Riverfront Park on Saturday about his time in prison and how prayer helped him through that time.