COLUMBUS, Ohio — To help combat a rise in youth violence, one former gang member is using his experience to help steer some of the community’s most vulnerable toward a safer path.
What You Need To Know
- The nonprofit Ours Brothers Keepers provides support and resources to at-risk youth in Columbus to help prevent violence
- The organization was founded by a former member of the Short North Posse gang after his release from prison as a way to give back and steer some of the community’s most vulnerable down a safer path
- The nonprofit provides participants between the ages of 7 and 24 a variety of services like food, shelter, mentoring and an opportunity to learn life skills
“This is a dream come true,” said Wesley Moore. “It’s like getting the lottery.”
Wesley said he founded the nonprofit Ours Brothers Keepers to provide support and resources he never had while growing up.
“I know how it feels to be at risk,” he said. “I know how it feels to not have a home, not have a kitchen table. So this is something that I try to provide for every youth who is going through the same similar story.”
Wesley said that he and his brother Markey were raised surrounded by drugs and violence in Columbus.
“You didn’t think nothing over it,” he said. “You didn’t think nothing was wrong with it. You know, most people, when we came out the house hungry and stuff, it was, ‘Here get some drugs.’”
As he got older, Wesley joined the local gang.
“So you start growing up, you see people,” he said. “That’s what you think; that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
At age 18, a federal grand jury indicted Wesley and more than 40 other original members of the Short North Posse.
He served 15 years in prison.
“I pointed the fingers at everybody, like man, I can’t believe they got me put in jail,” Wesley said. “And so, like, after five years, I was like, I realized I put myself in here. I start realizing I made the choice. I made the decision.”
He said he used the time while incarcerated to educate himself and said the experience gave him the vision for the nonprofit.
“I don’t run from my past,” Wesley said. “It’s what God put me through. Had me walk this way to understand who I am today. So I’m thankful for it.”
He said he drove trucks for 10 years after his release to earn the money to buy the East Columbus properties where his vision would turn into reality.
“A lot of these kids are so in survival mode to where we break them in to show love or support,” Wesley said.
Ours Brothers Keepers officially became a nonprofit organization five years ago to provide services missing in the community. He said they have received some financial support from the Columbus Mayor’s Office and the Franklin County Office on Aging, but most of what they provide is paid from their own pockets, earned through a construction company the brothers also operate.
“We don’t know nothing too much about grants and stuff,” Wesley said.
Instead, he said they stretch a shoestring budget to provide for those between the ages of seven and 24 who show up daily, referred to the program through court systems, parents, social media and word of mouth.
“My grandmother used to make a big, giant pot of spaghetti and feed 100 people, so I know we can make whatever little bit of money we had to make sure 65 youth stay safe and violence free,” he said.
Besides mentoring kids and teens, the nonprofit provides several support services, such as food, clothes, skills training, temporary and transitional housing, and a community engagement center with a computer lab.
At 15-years-old, David Price Jr. is one teen helping build some of the transitional housing through his participation in the program.
“Teach us how to, like, save our money, teach us how to trade, put up drywall and keeping us safe,” he said.
They are also learning how to earn an income. The kids are paid $15 an hour for their work helping bring Markey’s plans to life.
“I always said, once I get older, I want to own homes and get in construction, so I’d never be homeless,” Markey said.
The young adults are also paid for their work helping seniors in the community with their lawn care. The maintenance is free for the seniors and a way to provide the kids a sense of purpose.
The young adults are also paid for their work helping seniors in the community with their lawn care. (Spectrum News 1/Jenna Jordan)
“Put the guns down, pick up a check,” Wesley said. “Now the kids are like, ‘I don’t want no guns, I’m trying to get some money.’”
Wesley said participants may not have weapons, which is one way the nonprofit is having a positive impact on community violence.
“The violence will really go down and stay down, because the kids know they got an opportunity to make some money to be able to feed their family,” Wesley said. “A lot of that $300 go a long way at their house.”
He said some of the most violent youth in the city are involved with Ours Brothers Keepers, including members of the Kia Boys, teaching them to own up to their bad choices and take responsibility.
“I can honestly say, they ain’t stolen a car in two years,” Wesley said. “And the cars that were stolen that they did, I made sure they paid back the victims.”
Wesley said his goal is to provide 100 kids, like Semaj Burgess, a place to go and something to do year-round.
“Taught me just how to be a better person, how to better myself,” Burgess said while pushing a lawnmower.
This is the 14-year-old’s second year in the program, and he is proud of his growth, learning the importance of brotherhood and community.
“During school, like, I’m not gonna lie, I was getting into a lot of trouble,” Burgess said. “Just not knowing how to communicate with people. Or how to like treat people.”
He said his parents’ love that he is getting something out of the experience and being productive.
“They’re telling me how much I been changing since I been coming here, at least,” Burgess said. “Hearing that coming from my parents, it just means something more.”
He now has a new focus on the future and the path to get there.
“I have a purpose in life that’s way bigger than just fighting,” he said.
Wesley hopes to continue living his dream by having a positive impact and making the community safer for everyone.
“And I think that’s very important cause that’s our motto: living with a purpose,” he said.