The-Leader_2007-06-14

              Happy Father's Day to all Fieeport Baldwin dads!
72nd Year, No. 21 Freepori, N.Y. 11520
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, June 14, 2007
ort/Baldwin
Father of the Year
MEET THE LEADER'S Father of the Year: Kevin Allen - "Coach Kevin" to many - stands-tail with his Freeport family.
LI'S first
Congressional field
hearing on gangs
by Laura Schofer
What do you want to be when you grow up? It's a common question with a common response: a lawyer, doctor, athlete, fireman, a police officer or even President of the United States. But for many young people born in a world of poverty where gangs are rampant and violence is the law of the land, these dreams fade at an early age.
"I have never heard a child say "I want to be a killer, a drug dealer, a murderer. I want to be in jail by the time I'm 16 or shot dead;" said Sergio Argueta, founder and Executive Director of S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, a grassroots organization in Hempstead that empowers young people to take control of their lives and mm away from gang violence and lawlessness.
Mr Argueta was one of si.x people called to testify before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Health, Families and Communities, chaired by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarth\*. of the Fourth Congressional District
on June 4. The hearing was held in Freeport's Village Hall and is the first field hearing on Long Island to dis­cuss gang prevention methods.
Six individuals - Kathleen Rice, Nassau County's district attorney; Michael Woodward, Freeport's chief of police: Edward Hayes, chief execu­tive officer of the Cayuga Home for Children; Sergio Argueta; Isis Sapp-Grant. a former gang member and now e.xecutive director of Blossom, a gang prevention program for girls in Brooidyn, and Chris Maddox, also a former gang member now working with Hempstead's HEVN (Helping End Violence Now) - discussed their experience with gang life and tech­niques for reducing gang participa­tion.
"Today's hearing brings national attention to the issue of gang violence in New York," said Congresswoman McCarthy in her opening remarks. "Each day, we see more children buy­ing into the world of gangs. We in Congress have a responsibility to pro­vide children with reasonable alterna­tives to the gang culture."
(continued on page 3)
by Laura Schofer
Congratulations to Kevin Allen who is the 2007 Father of the Year. Kevin Allen lives in Freeport on Harrison Avenue with his wife Chatese and their four chil­dren - Devaughn, 12; Lachaye, 10; Tazmeya, six and Jayvian, four.
Mr. Allen chuckled when he learned about the honor. "My family has been whispering and trying to keep it [Father's Day] all hush, hush," he said.
Mr. Allen spends a great deal of time with his children, taking them back and forth to school, helping them with their homework and coaching them in a num­ber of sports.
"I've been a coach with the Baldwin Bombers for the past ten years," said Mr. AUen. "I first coached my nephew and now my son Devaughn. He loves foot­ball. It's his favorite sport." Both of the girls, Lachaye and Tazmeya, play softball and soccer with Freeport Little League. "Lachaye loves to play softball and Tazmeya loves both soccer and softball," said Kevin.
This fall 4-year-old Jayvian will get into the act. "Freeport Little League has a soccer program for 4 and 5-year-olds. They kick the ball around the field and have fun," said Dad. "Jayvian loves all sports and he's very excited about playing."
Tazmeya, in her letter to The Leader
said, "My dad wakes me up for school in the morning and watches me when I'm waiting for my bus. He plays with me and all the kids on my block."
Cousin Bray anna Hargrave agrees. My cousin Kevin always plays with us and when we are feeling down he always cheers us up."
In the winning letter, wife Chatese wrote that her husband always finds time to help the children with their homework and "teaches them what is right to do in life."
"When the children come in [from school] they get a snack and then must sit down at the homework table. If they have any questions they come to me," said Kevin. "I'm good in math and my chil­dren are good at it too."
"My father gave me the smarts," wrote Lachaye.
"My dad is cool," wrote son Devaughan.
But most of all Kevin Smith is described as a humble, kind man who goes out of his way for other people. He describes himself as a "Christian man." The letters say "he teaches us about God." "He tells us we should follow our dreams and belifeve in Jesus. He tells us when we grow up we should be smart and thankfiil for .what we have and love," wrote Breyanna Hargrave.
(continued on page S)