Ones to watch in the next decade: honorable mention

Staff

Friday, Dec. 31, 2010

Chronicle editors and reporters compiled a list of other movers and shakers who will help shape the next decade:

DEVON HARRIS: Founder of Full Circle Refuge, a youth ministry that focuses on gangs. With gang activity on the rise, Harris' focus on reducing/preventing gang involvement among at-risk youths will become even more important during the decade.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2010-12-31/ones-watch-next-decade-honorable-mention

Comcast Community Concerns Interview With Devon Harris

Ben Hasan interviews Devon Harris, Gang Intervention Specialist, and Executive Director of Full Circle Refuge about how his non-profit organization came to be founded, and his work to try and break the influence of gangs on youth in the community, and his training. They discuss recent shootings that may be gang-related in August more on this story

Seed Planters and Fruit Inspectors UPDATE

People should think of us as servants of Christ and managers who are entrusted with God’s mysteries. Managers are required to be trustworthy. 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2(GWT) 

more on this story

SPECIAL REPORT: Former gang member turns his life around

Story Published: Nov 19, 2009 at 5:49 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2009 at 5:49 PM EST 

AUGUSTA, Ga. - He joined a gang when he was only 12. Raised by a single parent, he says he felt like he didn't have a family. But it was his mother who stepped in and found a way to save her son.

“Jail didn’t scare me. I was ready for it,” said former gang member.

That’s exactly what this 14 year old says he was looking for when he was first approached about joining the Gangster Disciples gang. NBC Augusta 26 News chose to conceal his identity to protect him and his family from any retaliation from his former gang. more on this story

New pilot program will reach out to troubled teens in the court system

Story Published: Aug 12, 2009 at 6:33 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 12, 2009 at 6:33 PM EDT 

AUGUSTA, Ga. - It's a group reaching out to troubled teens.

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• New program targets Aiken teen offenders 
  

Full Circle Refuge is partnering with the Richmond County Juvenile Court System to stop teens from committing crimes and get them on the right track. The "Change Your Mind: One Degree at a Time" program is working to change lives. more on this story

New program targets Aiken teen offenders

Story Published: Jul 17, 2009 at 5:15 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 17, 2009 at 5:15 PM EDT 

AIKEN, S.C. - Deputies say summer is the high season for juvenile crime. Now, a new program hopes to stop repeat teen offenders in Aiken County. Only three teens made the first group of "Right of Passage." but organizers say they plan on hosting up to 15. It's a partnership between the Department of Juvenile Justice and two outreach groups to provide an alternative to standard punishment. Sometimes the best place for a kid is to be locked up, but that's not right, that's not right. Devon Harris has worked with kids behind bars for 15 years, but he says he has an alternative. more on this story

Butler High School Fight Video Released

Published: September 19, 2008 - Devon Harris, Director, Full Circle Refuge: “We found out that most of the kids involved in this lifestyle, especially in high school, they’re not there. This is where they’re making the choices. This is where they’re impressionable. more of the story

Graffiti draws gang rivalries

Gang prevention expert Devon Harris says gang graffiti should not be ignored because it highlights turf wars, which can become violent. more of the story

Direct Targets

Richmond County school officials are going after gangs by communicating directly with those who need it: kids and parents. Devon Harris, the charismatic executive director of Full Circle Refuge, a faith-based juvenile justice ministry, believes middle schoolers are the perfect audience. For one thing, they’re sponges, and for another thing, they’re actually in school, which can’t always be said for the high schoolers. “A wannabe is a gonnabe,” he says. “If kids aren’t told what the future is, it will escalate to that.” Harris doesn’t beat around the bush. With the kids, he’s hip and quick and emphatic. more of the story

Preventing gangs using real life experiences

Story Published: Oct 16, 2008 at 6:08 PM EDT

But Cooler and her school aren't just stopping with that task force. They want to do more to prevent gangs. So she visited Sego Middle in Augusta on Thursday. That is where the organization Full Circle Refuge was giving a presentation on gang prevention. The presentation was graphic and full of real life experiences from former gang members. It grabbed student’s attention. more of the story

Students get reality check about gangs

Posted: 6:30 PM Sep 17, 2008-RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga.---A local school is trying to keep kids from a life of violence and crime, so they're showing students what life in a gang can really be like. Leo Otero knows gang-life too well, because he grew up in it just like many of his family members. "Until in and out of prison most of my life I realized that I had been living a lie all my life," said Otero. Part of that lie is the reputation gangs can get for kids. "They understand that gangs are a cool factor. And we share with them the fear factor," said Devon Harris, a gang intervention specialist with Full Circle Refuge. more of the story

Ministry educates parents about gangs

AUGUSTA, Ga.---A local church is doing its part to fight Augusta's growing gang problem.

Tonight the non-profit group Full Circle Refuge spoke to the community at Aldersgate Methodist Church on Wheeler Road. Full Circle Refuge is a juvenile justice ministry. The organization wants to educate parents on how to spot gang activity and how to help stop the problem before it spreads to their home. more of the story

Ex-con teaches troubled teens

Instructor Leo Otero leads a Promise group meeting with young men in the alcohol and drug program at the Three Springs of Augusta facility. Mr. Otero, a former convict and gang member, became a mentor after turning his life around. more of the story

Worried your kids are in a gang? Click here for some tips to keep them safe 

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Ministry shows kids what hero looks like

Prison ministry reaches out to youth