April 20, 2021

Public Statement Regarding Derek Chauvin Trial Verdict from Youth Service, Inc. (YSI) and People’s Emergency Center (PEC)

On behalf of People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and Youth Service, Inc. (YSI), from Kathy Desmond, PEC
President and Gwen Bailey, YSI Executive Director:

The murder of George Floyd, was a pivotal turning point for our country—another tragic reminder of the deeprooted injustice, inequity, and inhumanity faced by black and brown communities for generations. We are hopeful today’s guilty verdict will mark the beginning of an era of accountability and serve as the essential first-step toward restoration of faith, justice, optimism, and change. There is much more work to be done. PEC and YSI are committed to being advocates and using our voice and influence to combat racism and promote equity and change.

In the words of Martin Luther King:

“We have before us a glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of civilization.”

The verdict today comes on the heels of what has been an extraordinarily difficult year for so many. Racial injustice, the pandemic, economic insecurity, and community violence has left many families feeling overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness.

We offer the following resources to help and provide support:

• Improve your mood — and the mood of those around you — with these suggestions from Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services.

• Cope with grief with these ideas from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency.

Please join us for the following healing and community-building activities:

• Men’s Coffee Talk – Second Tuesday of every month, 11am online. Contact Kevin at KevinB@peccares.org or 267-777-5820 to join.

• Barnes Presents Flower Pot Paint Party Thursday 4/22

• Community Mural Painting with Ock the Wizard Saturday 5/8 and Thursday 5/13

• Everyday Places Artist Partnerships Various dates

We look forward to walking alongside you as we continue our pursuit for equity, healing, justice, and change
together.

With Peace,
Kathy & Gwen

About PEC and YSI
Affiliated in January 2020, PEC and YSI work on several fronts to provide a holistic response to society’s ills. We provide food, housing, and resources. We counsel to help heal the heart. We inspire children’s curiosity through education and provide supports to opportunity youth. We promote job readiness through preparation and exposure. Our services are infused with a trauma-informed approach to soothe the spirit and promote healing.  We encourage a unique community identity through creative placemaking in our neighborhoods. And we  amplify the voices of the people we serve to policymakers so that their stories, their words, their voices may be heard.