Tag Archive for: #MelissaElliott

Gang Free Inc. Awarded $5K Grant for Community Service

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Gang Free Inc., a program focused on reducing crime in Vance County, was the recent recipient of the Coastal Credit Union Foundation’s Hometown Hero Award.

One nonprofit organization from each of the 16 counties in North Carolina served by the Coastal Credit Union was selected by the foundation’s committee members to receive this honor.

Melissa Elliott, recent candidate for Vance County Sheriff, founded Gang Free Inc. in 2009 to serve at-risk youth and adults. With the main focus on youth ages 5-17, the mission of the organization is to “educate and empower individuals to live a life liberated of crime through innovative progress and services.”

Melissa Elliott (left) and Dr. Jeanette Floyd (right) with Gang Free Inc. pose with the organization’s Hometown Hero Award. (Photo courtesy Melissa Elliott)

Led by Elliott and a group of approximately 10 consistent volunteers, Gang Free Inc., located at 940 County Home Rd., Henderson, currently serves 56 youth. “We are focused on prevention and we address the kids’ emotional and social needs,” Elliott said.

The majority of participants are students from Clarke Elementary School, LB Yancey Elementary School, Henderson Middle School and Southern Vance High School.

“We do so much with our kids,” said Elliott. “From literacy programs, bullying and gang prevention, mowing grass, cleaning up neighborhoods, helping the Henderson Optimist Club with their Christmas trees or picking produce from our own garden, we keep them engaged and involved in their community.”

According to Elliott, this level of community service and involvement keeps participants away from crime and gives them a sense of purpose and of responsibility to be good stewards of their community.

For their efforts to reduce crime in Vance County, Gang Free Inc. was awarded a $5,000 grant on May 24, 2018, at the Coastal Credit Union Foundation’s third-annual Power of Sharing Gala held at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley.

“It was very meaningful to me to attend the gala and to see that there are other people out there trying to make a difference in their communities; there are other like-minded people,” said Elliott. “It was an incredible experience.”

Elliott plans to use the bulk of the grant for new programs, including Guiding Good Choices, a drug prevention program for ages 9-14 with a focus on opioid and heroin abuse.

In addition to the $5,000 grant to be used for operating expenses and programs, Gang Free Inc. received an IBM Impact Grant that allowed Elliott to attend the recently-held “Becoming a Leader of Change” training.

This leadership training helped Elliott identify effective change management skills, as well as provided insight on how to implement improvement processes within her organization.

While formal training sessions are important to Elliott and her growth as a leader, learning on the job and making changes as necessary is also an invaluable teacher. “I’m learning as I go and running this organization on faith.”

Elliott thanks her volunteers and community organizations for the “overwhelming support” that they have provided Gang Free Inc. “Dr. Jeanette Floyd, the educational director, is the glue and nails of this organization,” said Elliott. “This would not be possible without her and without our numerous individual volunteers and organizations.”

To learn more about Gang Free Inc. or to become a volunteer, please visit their website at www.gangfreeinc.org.

Melissa Elliott – Vance Co. Sheriff Candidate Q&A

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Name: Melissa Elliott

Candidate For: Vance County Sheriff

Age: 48

Town of Residence: Henderson

Previous position(s) held: Gang Resource Officer; Jail Liaison; Vance County Sheriff Office 911 Dispatcher; Correctional Officer; Correctional Case Manager; Gang Intel Committee; Family Enrichment Worker

Degrees/Certifications Earned: Associate Degree in Criminal Justice – Vance-Granville Community College; Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – St. Augustine University; Master of Public Administration – Strayer University; Post Master’s Certificate in Criminal Justice; General Instructor – Criminal Justice

 

What motivated you to run for Vance County Sheriff?

I am running for the Office of the Sheriff to better the community in which I live and serve by implementing innovative strategies that would increase the safety in our community, as well as bring a greater quality of life to all of our citizens.

As a young girl, I felt compassion towards the needs of others and as a young woman acknowledged there was a great call of “leadership” on my life. Now, I am a community champion who embraces the call of God to bring change in areas that seemingly are difficult.

I am grateful and deem it an honor to be considered to serve the citizens of Vance County in the capacity of Sheriff.

 

What distinguishes you from other candidates?

I feel distinguished in this election for Sheriff in several different ways. First and foremost, I am a woman who fears God AND I am accessible to ALL people. I have proven my loyalty and dedication over the years in this community as one who hurdles over challenges and yields positive results and solutions.

Secondly, I have the educational background that, unmatched by any other candidate, makes me extremely and uniquely qualified and knowledgeable in the areas of crime prevention, as well as other evidence-based strategies that have been implemented by other jurisdictions. My Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) allows me to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities that are pertinent to leading the Office of Sheriff.

The trust that I have garnered in the community, along with my diverse background in criminal justice (in several capacities) and my educational background (MPA, Post Master’s Certificate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice) have prepared me for the tasks that lie ahead.

Lastly, I have extensive knowledge on a societal issue (gangs) that has plagued many communities. My in-depth research and relationships in criminal street gangs will also illuminate strategies that will prevent many youths from becoming emerged in a life that only ends in tragedy; intervene to save lives and suppress those who have no desire to change.

 

What do you believe is the single most important skill to possess in order to be a successful sheriff?

The single most important skill to possess to be a successful sheriff is communication. Oral and written communication is key in the daily operation of any administration. The Sheriff needs to be able to effectively communicate with his or her staff, the public and the citizens that have elected them to serve. Communication involves executing directives, listening to the concerns of others to create and implement effective strategies for all who are involved.

 

If elected, would you keep the Sheriff’s department moving along its current path or change the course?

As the elected Sheriff, I would assess the effectiveness of all units and daily operations. After the assessment is complete, I would gradually implement strategies to improve the quality of service for citizens of our great county. I do not believe in recreating the wheel; however, I do believe in improvement. Training would be an essential tool as well as programs and evidence-based strategies for a more proactive approach to the challenges our community faces.

I strongly believe in prevention i.e. G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training), the Dare Program, the Step Up Initiative and other programs that would address mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Community Watch is also an extremely important program that would continue its momentum with workshops and speakers who bring information to the citizens as well as listening to the concerns of the community.

 

What do you believe is the biggest concern facing Vance County today and what would you do as Sheriff to address that concern?

Vance County has several concerns that are interrelated and it is extremely difficult to address only one and believe that the problem is fixed. Economic growth and development, or lack thereof, which has caused an extremely high poverty rate in Vance County has developed many challenges that we face. Gun violence, substance abuse, gangs, recidivism, changing the trajectory of our children’s future, weapons reduction; the list can go on and on.

As the Sheriff of Vance County, I would hone in on prevention with our youth in the way of programs, by assigning deputies to work with students in the elementary school as well as the community through the G.R.E.A.T. program and partner with churches, nonprofits and other stakeholders to increase positive impact.

To reduce gang activity and criminal offenses I would implement a gang unit to focus on gang culture, trends and criminal activity, as well as put in place a system to classify and identify gang members in our community. I would also continue the momentum with the gun buyback program to obtain firearms.

Working previously in the Vance County Jail as well as the North Carolina Department of Public Safety has given me direct insight on the classification of offenders and the evidence-based programs that will assist in a productive transition. Obtaining the status from the Federal government to name our county as a HIDTA (High Intense Drug Traffic Area) would assist in many ways. The HIDTA program currently funds 752 initiatives throughout the nation, including:

  • Enforcement initiatives comprising multi-agency investigative, interdiction, and prosecution activities;
  • Intelligence and information-sharing initiatives;
  • Support for programs that provide assistance beyond the core enforcement and intelligence and information-sharing initiatives; and
  • Drug use prevention and drug treatment initiatives

As the Sheriff of Vance County, I would listen to the citizens and their concerns as well as be accessible to all people by communicating effectively.

 

(The photo accompanying this article provided by Melissa Elliott.)

VGCC alumna and Henderson City Council member encourages Adult Basic Skills graduates

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Graduates of Vance-Granville Community College’s Adult Basic Skills programs were challenged to believe in themselves and to continue their education, as an alumna who is now a member of the Henderson City Council offered encouragement at commencement exercises on May 5.

“Twenty-five years ago, I was sitting in the same spot that you all are sitting in,” Melissa Elliott told the graduates, who were among those students who have completed either the Adult High School Diploma program or the High School Equivalency program in the past year. “Back then, I didn’t know if I was capable of doing anything, but 25 years later, I’ve conquered four degrees, and I’m working on my doctorate right now.”

As the principal commencement speaker, Elliott, in her first term on the Henderson City Council, urged the new graduates to enroll in a curriculum program at VGCC immediately, just as she once did in the Criminal Justice program. Her associate degree from the community college paved the way for Elliott to continue her education, serve in various capacities in law enforcement and start her own non-profit organization, Gang-Free, Inc.

“I encourage people to go to Vance-Granville, because I know that the people here care about you,” she said. “They love you and they want you to succeed…. I was catapulted into my educational career through this institution. This is just the beginning of where you can go, but you have to believe in yourself.”

Elliott asked the graduates to focus on three P’s: perseverance, patience and perception. “Perseverance means you will continue even with the wind against you, but you still move forward,” she said. “You all evidently have patience, because you are here.” As for perception, she said, “Sometimes, our perception is totally off, and we begin to believe that we can’t do it. Well, I want you to believe that you can do it, you can have it, and you will be it! I want you to get that down in your heart. You can become absolutely anything your heart desires.”

Speaking on behalf of the graduating students during the ceremony was Melissa Pearce of Franklinton. She said it was “a miracle” that she was standing in that position as a graduate. At age nine, Pearce was seriously ill and was in a coma for 48 hours. “I stayed in the hospital for two weeks recovering,” she said. “After being released from the hospital, I had a really hard time learning and remembering things, and still do to this day.”

School was always difficult and frustrating for Pearce, and eventually, she dropped out. Pearce married and had three sons, but she always felt the need to go back to school to obtain a high school diploma. Twice, she started but did not finish.

“Once my boys were all in school and didn’t need me during the day, I started to think again about education and all of the benefits associated with education,” she said. “I decided to try to get my GED again, but this time, I created a six-month game plan.” She went to class four days a week for five months at VGCC’s Franklin Campus, and then in the sixth month, took all four of the required tests. “I worked hard and stayed focused and had two amazing teachers who helped me and encouraged me to not give up,” Pearce recalled.

“Within one month’s time, I had passed all my tests and received my GED in March 2016! I did it! I want my children to know even with all the obstacles that stood in my way, I never gave up. I may have lost focus on my education, but it was all worth it to raise my family. Now that I have regained my focus on my education, I plan to keep pushing myself and reaching for the stars!”

Pearce is now enrolled in the VGCC Early Childhood Education program, starting in the summer term. “My goals are to one day become a director of a day care to provide the care and support that all children need,” she said. Pearce urged her fellow graduates, “Don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how long it takes.”

In welcoming remarks, VGCC Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Dr. Angela Ballentine congratulated the graduates. “You have passed the tests. You have completed your work,” she said. “It may not have been easy, but it has been worth it, because tonight, you can celebrate a great achievement.” Ballentine, too, urged them to continue their education at VGCC. “We will help you make the transition to college, and we will advise you as you dream, design and discover new pathways and new possibilities,” she said.

Following Elliott’s address, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, praised the graduates and applauded the Basic Skills faculty for preparing students to succeed. “The diploma you receive tonight will allow you to begin to realize your dreams,” the president said. “You are now able to further your education, start a career, and become a lifelong learner.” As an extra incentive for graduates to move on to the next level of education, she announced that each would receive a certificate worth free tuition and fees for one semester of courses in curriculum programs at VGCC, absorbing costs not covered by federal financial aid.

After VGCC Adult Basic Skills department chair Greg Nash announced the candidates for graduation, Dr. Ballentine assisted President Williams in presenting diplomas.