Individuals and groups working with youth to fight rising violence are honored at the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office Annual Anniversary and Humanitarian Awards event.

Inner city violence interuptors honored, speak about thier work

Washington, DC, USA - November 21, 2023 /MarketersMEDIA/ —

Washington, DC, humanitarians working on issues surrounding crime reduction were awarded at the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office during their 11th Anniversary and Humanitarian Awards event. Awards were given out by Rev. Sue Taylor and Thalia Ghiglia (pictured) with awardee Travis Ellis.

Awardees, Rev. E. Gail Holness, head of the faith based office for the DC Department of Behavioral Health; Regina Jefferson, head of the DC Department of Health’s Places of Worship Advisory Board; Yaay Me!; and the No Slide Zone movement were honored for their work helping at-risk youth and adults to turn them away from guns and toward positive goals.

Rev. Holness and Ms. Jefferson both work with the religious community offering support to young people and others through religious organizations’ outreach initiatives.

Yaay Me’s signature program, Pathways, which is co-facilitated with the DC Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE OFFICE), addresses individuals involved in gun violence and turns them into thriving citizens.

No Slide Zone is a community-backed collaborative movement to reduce gun violence in Washington, DC. The word “slide” is a slang term which refers to going into a neighborhood and indiscriminately shooting individuals without any consideration to collateral damage or harm.

The awardees gave moving speeches about their community work in helping to change lives. Ronald Whaley, cofounder of the No Slide Zone movement and Gelinda Allen, volunteer manager, stressed the importance of working personally with individuals. Travis Ellis, Yaay Me! Director and No Slide Zone advocate, emphasized that the key issue with young people is their deep apathy and hopelessness which leads to indifference toward taking a life or being killed. Mr. Ellis has dedicated his life to helping youth using his knowledge, experience and skill. At the end of his acceptance speech he recognized fellow leaders in the movement, bringing them to the podium to share their work and successes.

Beth Akiyama, Executive Director of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, opened the evening’s event by highlighting the church’s national and community work this last year in the fields of criminal justice, human rights, disaster response, drug prevention education and international religious freedom.

One of the Scientology TV “Voices for Humanity” episodes features Mr. Ellis inspiring youth to become advocates for respect and peace using the church-supported Youth for Human Rights program materials which are based on the 30 articles of the United Nation’s Declaration of Human Rights.

The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office was established in Washington, DC, in 2012 to offer its services and and outreach programs. During the grand opening Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion said, “We extend our reach by invoking what we hold to be the greatest of all rights, the one right which must be invoked if one is to fight for the freedom of others – the right to help.” He concluded, “All of it, not to convert, not to proselytize, but to do our part in uplifting this civilization as mandated in our Creeds and Codes.”

About Us: The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office represents the Church in the Nation's Capital and works with many organizations to improve human rights, criminal law reform, and religious freedom internationally.

Contact Info:
Name: Sylvia Stanard
Email: Send Email
Organization: Church of Scientology National Affairs Office
Address: 1701 20th St NW Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-667-6404
Website: http://www.scientology.org

Video URL: https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/travis-ellis.html

Release ID: 89113835

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