While most community programs focus on helping after the situation has occurred, one local church has started a program to help before a situation takes a turn for the worse.

Mount Carmel Baptist Church in North Versailles has started “An Ounce of Prevention,” a faith-based, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping young people and families spiritually, socially, educationally and economically.

WORKING TOGETHER— From left: Rev. W. Wilson Goode Sr. and Rev. Barbara A. Gunn stand together at the ANOP program’s grand opening celebration.

“Often times we (society) wait until it’s too late to try and fix the behavior, our program tries to prevent it from happening,” Rev. Barbara A. Gunn, pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church and a member of the board of directors, said. “We try to prevent it from getting to that point. We teach kids and adults to think before they react and show them that there’s a better way to go about things.”

Family gatherings—favorite holiday decorations…the wonderful smells of baked goods— the holidays are full of familiar rituals and special memories. Traditions are part of what make the season so enjoyable.

For many, this time of year means baking family favorites—how many times do people ask you to make grandma’s bread pudding or your special cookies? The holidays wouldn’t be the same without them.

Success in school means success in life. Thanks to the good people at the Target Foundation, Salvation Army kids and adults will get that chance to succeed.

At the Target Library/ Media Center, 1821 Broadhead and Fording Road in the West End, captains Earnest and Vanessa Fullwood along with Chris Staples, district team leader for Target, Councilwoman Theresa Smith and members of the West Side Worship and Service center dedicated the new West Side Center computer lab. The lab consists of 11 new state-of-the-art computer monitors, keyboards and hard drives.

OFFICIAL PLAQUE—From left: Michael Garrett, IT director for Team Target; Chris Stables, district team leader for Target; captains Vanessa Fullwood and Earnest Fullwood; Councilwoman Theresa Smith and Major Robert J. Reel, eceive the official plaque dedication to the Target Library/Media Center Westside Corps.

“We feel that adding this component to our programming will have a direct and positive impact on all members of our community,” said Earnest Fullwood, The Salvation Army’s West Side Worship and Service Center commanding officer. The upgrading of the computer lab will improve the quality of service that the West Side Worship Service Center can provide to the youths attending the after- school programming as well as assist low-income individuals in achieving self-sufficiency by offering low-cost computer training, resume assistance and assistance with interviewing skills.

Tribute concert

NOV. 11—Clark Memorial Baptist Church, 1301 Glenn St., Homestead, will host a 13th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration. The celebration is in honor of Rev. James Douglas Burwell. There will be worship services in honor of the celebration that will run through Nov. 15. The theme is “Raising the level of our commitment through kingdom service.” For more information, call 412-462-1011.