Mother of Slain 13-year-old Joins CTRIBAT Youth Development Program

CTRIBAT Youth Development welcomes Sonda Whitfield as the newest member to its staff as The Director of Programming Parent/Student.Sonda Whitfield stated that since her daughter’s death she has been putting her life back together.

(PRWEB) August 18, 2006 -- CTRIBAT Youth Development welcomes Sonda Whitfield as the newest member to its staff as The Director of Programming Parent/Student.

During the first week of August 2006, Executive Director Shafiq Abdussabur met with Sonda Whitfield to discuss concerns regarding safety and programming for youth in the New Haven County. Whitfield stated that she had many concerns about the “State and Status of Youth Safety” in the Greater New Haven Area. She said that she has always been concerned of these issues because she has several children of her own. However, she sincerely admitted that her interest took on a new energy when she and her family became a victim of the New Era of Teenage Violence on June 16, 2006 when her thirteen-year-old daughter Jajauna Cole, was brutally gunned down as an innocent victim of violence between area rival gangs.

Sonda Whitfield stated that since her daughter’s death she has been putting her life back together. She still has three children who are under the age of 15 years old including one who is an infant. She said “I have been keeping up with all of the good events and activities that CTRIBAT has been doing with the young people in the area and I want to help these kids.”

Sonda recalled a time when she was having growing pains with one of her daughters and stated that she recognized that though her daughter’s involvement with CTRIBAT Programs and its staff her daughter’s behavior improved dramatically.

Executive Director Shafiq Abdussabur said “Sonda is a remarkable parent. I have known her for over two years and have worked very close with the family. We welcome Sonda to Our family at CTRIBAT and we feel that by having her on board will give the program more strength and increase our potential to problem solve issues between parents/guardians and their children.”

Sonda’s title will be Director of Programming Parent/Student, she will be charged with the duties of developing and maintaining resources that would enhance project programming for development in the areas of parent and student workshops. She will also be charged with performing public speaking engagements and public forum discussions related to topics on parent/student relations and development. In addition she will respond to community incidents involving youth related violence and evaluate the conditions of the youth and family to determine how CTRIBAT may accommodate their needs.

She will work in this position as a volunteer for the upcoming 2006 Fall and Winter Pilot. And she has already started working, most recently visiting the Family of thirteen-year-old Justus Suggs who was also brutally gunned down an innocent victim of violence between area rival gangs. Abdussabur said “Sonda is a good mother and a strong women and that is why CTRIBAT is delighted to have her on our team.”

Sonda will officially be announced at the CTRIBAT Leadership Retreat 2006 Graduation Ceremony on August 26, 2006. The Graduation will be sponsored by Yale University New Haven and Office of State Affairs and will be held at 34 Hill House Avenue, Yale University Luce Hall. Approximately 40 young male students between the ages of 9 and 16 years old will be promoted to the 2006 Fall and Winter Program.

CTRIBAT is an Urban Based youth development program that seeks to confront the challenging social issues that plagues our youth and young adults. This is not a camp! CTRIBAT (Connecticut RIBAT or Ultimate Retreat), is an opportunity for one to get away from the daily fast pace routines and go to a more naturalistic environment to reflect. In addition, CTRIBAT seeks to enhance ones character as well as sprit. CTRIBAT also incorporates a physical component into its entire program to challenge ones overall development. Thus, CTRIBAT could best be described as a program that seeks to develop Mind-Body-Spirit of youth in present day America so that they can build a better tomorrow.

CTRIBAT Youth Development was founded in 2003 by Officer Shafiq Abdussabur on the heels of the closing of the historical African American Community Center known as the Dixwell Q-House. The program services approximately 60 young males ages 9 years old to 17 years old. CTRIBAT offers students “life skill” workshops that focus on parent/student participation. In addition, CTRIBAT offers a summer pilot called the Leadership Retreat that focuses on fostering leadership skills in young people who reside in an Urban Environment (At-Risk Youth).

Invest in the Youth secure the Future! WWW.CTRIBAT.ORG

Current partners of CTRIBAT as of Wednesday, August 16, 2006:

City of New Haven-Mayor John DeStefano Jr., New Haven Police Department, Yale University Office of New Haven and State Affairs, Empowerment New Haven, New Alliance Bank, Community Foundation New Haven, TYCO Printing, Stetson Public Library, New Haven Police Union Local 530, Balance Fitness, DEP Sessions Woods, Christian Tabernacle, Dixwell Market, Cody’s Diner, Dixwell Mini-Mart, Francis Beauty Supply, SUBWAY (State & East Street), Eddies Barbershop, Mid-Kay Beauty Supply, Taurus Café, Downtown Pizza, BOLDMINDS Cultural Art Accents, CTRIBAT Board of Directors: Alderman Drew King, Fred Fulcher Jr. MSW. LADC., Siraaj Muhammad, Lou Ann Bohman, Jesse Hameen II, Brenda Johnson, Carl Myers.

Founder/Executive Director: Shafiq R. F. Abdussabur

Chief Financial Officer: Deborah De Loatch-Hogan

Director of Development: Wanda Faison

Director of Program Parent/Student: Sonda Whitfield

Program Director: Rochelle Fulcher

Program Director: Josh Lindo

Program Coordinator: Courtney D. Gayle

Instructors:

Officer Russell Blackwell, Officer Jason Jackson

Learn more about CTRIBAT at: WWW.CTRIBAT.ORG

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