Skate and Elevate event provides a safe space for Chatham County youth

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Chatham County Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission hosted its Skate and Elevate event Saturday evening at the W.W. Law Community Center.

The monthly program gives Chatham County teens a safe space to have fun, connect with mentors and skate. Organizers said events like this are more critical than ever.

“There’s been a lot of terrible stuff that’s been going on, so just putting positivity back in the air, having those people come by with their kids and families,” said Baruch Pilcher, outreach and special event coordinator for CCGPIC.

Skate and Elevate is a monthly program under the commission’s Campaign4Life initiative. Leaders organize events to connect families with the goal of preventing gang violence.

The event offered a safe space, music, dancing and skating activities.

“This is an area for everybody to just be in a safe environment, have a great time, smile and connect with different folks,” Pilcher said.

Community partnerships expand reach

The event was a collaboration between CCGPIC and the 912 Skaters Coalition. Hannah Walker, founder and co-president of 912 Skate Coalition, said the partnerships are important for building community.

“Since we started this so many skaters have mentioned that like ‘I didn’t know there was more of me out there, I’m meeting more people and making so many friends,’” Walker said.

Mentors were available for teens to talk to during the event. These partnerships are central to the CCGPIC’s movement, and leaders said they are trying to work with more organizations focusing on youth outreach.

“Would help build, I say, a child’s character and their development, maybe put them on the right or correct path to succeed in life,” Pilcher said.

The coalition hosts events every month in Chatham County. Information regarding upcoming events can be found on Chatham County Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission’s website and social media.