All I want for the New Year is for us to put resentment behind us. I hold a lot of anger towards people within my community, school and neighborhood and I would like to try and let go of some of it. That is my holiday wish.
The bilingual forum drew nearly 70 people and was a joint effort from BHC Merced’s Neighborhood Action Team, Health Equity Project and the Merced Organizing Project.
Organizers invited all the candidates running for Merced City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5 - the only three district seats up for grabs this election year.
The event, hosted by the Guadalupano Youth Society of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, was created to provide South Merced residents with information they may not access to otherwise.
Merced County just counted its ninth homicide of 2015 a few days ago. The previous year had the most homicides on record in the county at 31. Many of the Merced County victims have been young people of color, like the young man shot and killed in Winton earlier this week and a Merced teen who was shot and killed in the parking lot of Tenaya Middle School back in February. Much of the media coverage around the violence has focused on law enforcement, gang activity and property values. We’ced youth reporters asked our community members a different question: How has violence affected your life?
In late 2014, the City of Merced received an $828,775 grant from the State of California's Housing and Community Development Department to improve and renovate Stephen Leonard Park. The park, which occupies a square block deep in South Merced, has seen better days. The basketball court is riddled with cracks and the pool has been empty for years. Renovation plans include installing a skate park and replacing the pool with a splash pad, as well as adding security cameras.
We’Ced reporters spent a chilly Saturday afternoon talking to visitors at Stephen Leonard Park about the new plans, and their memories of the place.
by We’Ced reportersphotos by Alyssa Castro and We’Ced reportersEd Note: On January 31st, Merced resident and film maker Rodrigo Reyes screened Purgatorio: A Journey Into the Heart of the Border.Read More
On Thursday January 29th, the City Council of Merced held one of it’s two annual Town Hall meetings in the cafeteria of Tenaya Middle School. Over 50 people gathered to discuss how to improve the city. Many attendees shared their thoughts on public safety in Merced with We’Ced reporters.
I’ve seen people that have been to prison or have been in jail and they come out, turn their life around but they can’t find jobs. They can’t get financial aid for school because they have a felony, so they can’t get an education. I don’t think it’s fair, especially for minor things which is what Prop 47 will turn around.
Photo: LGBT Health Forumby We’Ced YouthEditor’s Note: On August 8th, We’Ced Youth Media attended Merced’s first LGBT Health Forum held at the Italo-American Lodge on Main Street.Read More
"I think Merced has a lot of guns, most of which are illegal I suppose since the times I’ve seen or heard about guns weren’t necessarily from adults. A lot of teenagers here in Merced have access to guns. I have had friends who either own a gun or carry a gun around at all times for “protection.” I personally think that I shouldn’t have to fear what I haven’t done and so far I have no problems with anyone."
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