Melissa Ross
The Reverend John Guns lights up with enthusiasm as he talks about the new back-to-school initiative in Jacksonville designed to support and encourage male students from 6th through 12th grades — one with strong buy-in from the city’s mayor, sheriff, and school superintendent.
“It’s an exciting week,” said Guns during an appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect.
The charismatic faith leader, founder of Operation Save Our Sons, has brought together dozens of male students for the One City/One Jacksonville Youth Leadership Week, a combination boot camp/church camp/summer camp for boys needing positive role models and guidance.
The kids were chosen from, among other avenues, referrals from the State Attorney’s Office, Teen Court, Communities in Schools, and more. Mayor Lenny Curry, Sheriff Mike Williams, Duval Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, the city’s Chamber of Commerce, and other major players have all lent support to the effort to reach at-risk students before the school year starts.
“As we look at academic performance and behavior we see that they are companions,” said Guns.
“Once they get to this grade level, we begin to see some real behavioral challenges. We’re starting to see alternative schools become a permanent place for some of these kids. So the opportunity to create an environment where for a week they’re challenged in understanding, how do you succeed in school? It’s almost a boot camp to prepare these kids to be successful in school, but more importantly to be successful in life.”
Bringing down the city’s troublesome violent crime rate and addressing root causes of violence by bringing back back-burnered crime reduction initiatives like the Jacksonville Journey were key campaign issues for Curry and Williams, both new in office. Guns, who’s also placing 1,000 men in at-risk schools the first week of class to volunteer as positive role models for male students, says he’s hopeful all the key stakeholders are finally on the same page when it comes to addressing long-simmering issues in the 904.
“The next three days are going to be incredible.”
