SEPT. 8—Familylinks will host their Life-Changing Seminar Series as a part of the 21st Annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month from 6-8 p.m. at 250 Shady Ave., Shadyside. The theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!” Each Wednesday in September session will be help to help build stronger, healthier communities. This week’s session will focus on “Drama Free Relationships.” Registration is required and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Bessie Sewell Hudson at 412-924-0243 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

(This is the first in a series of responses addressing Black-on-Black violence.)

During his exclusive Aug. 23 interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier editorial board in the wake of the fatal shooting during a midget league football game, Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper challenged nonprofits working in African-American neighborhoods to act more cooperatively in the battle to stop Black-on-Black killings.

FLORENCE ROUZIER and MALIK BANKSTON

“I tried to bring (Community Empowerment Association) and the Kingsley Center together because we need to have more collaboration. It’s harder when you have all these groups competing for the same funds,” he said. “I’d rather make an investment in these programs that are being preventative.”

Every year 3,500 youths are admitted to Shuman Detention Center. Forty percent of that total is represented by repeat admissions, those who have already had one or more visits to the center.

Nothing makes Shuman’s director Wil­liam Simmons unhappier than these startling statistics. Although he only has the youths who come to the center for an average of 15 days, he is focused on doing whatever he can to reduce the recidivism rate.

REVOLVING DOOR—Williams Simmons fights his daily battle to lower recidivism rates.

“One of the biggest challenges is recidivism. That’s a shame. It says a lot about society itself,” Simmons said. “In addition to that it is because we don’t have any impact on their home life. What kind of services are they getting when they go home? That’s the frustrating part.”

Champion Enterprises will host their 35th anniversary gala at the Sheraton Hotel Station Square Sept. 17.

BILL NEAL President, CEO Champions Enterprises

The highlight of the evening will feature a Champions Award recognition to those who have been most important to the history and success of the agency’s 35 years of dedicated community service.

Those to be recognized and honored are: