Teen Gun Violence Rises In Sacramento
Come with access as we explore one person’s experience with teen gun violence.
meadowview
Returning News Correspondent, Ivan Caballero
My name is Ivan Caballero. This is m
y fourth time with Accesslocal.tv which equates to about a year and half of time with the program. It’s been a pretty long time since I’ve first started writing articles and making videos for this website. It’s something I love to do and I appreciate incredibly the opportunity that this job provides me. I consider Sacramento, the city where I was raised, to be my community.
I’m a 17 year old student with a passion for photography, cinematography, journalism, and comic books- . Photography and cinematography being at my core. In my free time, or at work, I like to take pictures and sometimes post them on my Instagram photography profile.
I often take pictures of the areas around where I live. I like to show the inequality issues in my area and even the good things that people enjoy. I grew up here; I want the world to see what I grew up seeing. I go to Old Sacramento Sac and take pictures of just about everything. I travel around go to Meadowview, my neighborhood, and take pictures of the broken streets and parks. I want the Internet to see what I grew up looking at.
Growing up here, I have noticed the issues that Sacramento faces and now that I work with Accesslocal.tv, I am able to have the ability to write about these problems. It’s one of the many things I love about journalism. I don’t just get to go out and explore and meet new people; I get to inform the local public about the issues that matter and people who are making a difference.
Because of Accesslocal.tv, I
’ve actually been able to leave Sacramento and travel to Los Angeles twice and even go to UC Davis to participate in a state-wide youth empowerment event and go to a #SchoolNotPrisions concert. My point is that I’ve been able to do so much more than I would have without this amazing job.
I’ve said this many times before but when I first started with Accesslocal.tv I knew very little of journalism, but now everything is changed. I’m still not as good as I can be but I have improved so much since my first article and video. I have improved massively thanks to this job at Accesslocal.tv because it is something I love to do.
I have had tremendous pressure from my family put on me. This job has given me the courage to show to everyone who doubted me that maybe I can pull off my dreams. It’s a great feeling to be able to do better than what many people expected of me.
I am hoping that I will have another amazing four months working here at Accesslocal.Tv and I hope I find a job similar to this one in the near future. I’m excited to see where this term takes me.
My Neighborhood, Meadowview – Continued
Last year, I produced a video on the same concept as in this video, the Meadowview area. Here’s a new and updated version with some new interviews. Thanks for watching!
Introducing Ivan Caballero, Neighborhood News Correspondent
Hello, I’m Ivan Caballero and I am a junior at John F. Kennedy High School. I was born in Santa Clara, California. I was raised here in Sacramento. I also lived in San Antonio, Texas from 2008 through 2009. It was a very interesting experience. Eventually, I came back to Sacramento in 2010.
Growing up, I had an admiration of movies. I would go to my local BlockBuster and rent about ten movies at a time. Every time I would watch a movie, I would always wonder how they film, perform, and act all the scenes out. My imagination would go wild. I would always think that I would have a great idea for a film in my head. That’s when I realized that I may want to be a director.
When I was five years old, my mother bought me a Flip camcorder, which at the time meant so much to me. After that, I got a better camera and began getting more equipment so that I could do short films with a few of my friends. My first short-film was awful , but it got better as time went on. I’m still learning but I have become so much better than I was when I began.
I also love to read. My friends and family don’t realize that I read a lot. I mostly read online or through my phone. Reading a book is almost the same as watching a movie. It can be just as immersive. Just like a movie, a book can make you feel, think, and relate a certain way to a story. The only difference about a movie and a book is that in a book you can imagine how the story looks on your own. That’s the glory of reading. It could take you to a whole other world in the matter of seconds.
I am also very interested in science related subjects, such as astronomy. It fascinates me. I love to learn about new things. There is a saying from Neil Degrasse Tyson- “For me, I am driven by two main philosophies. Know more about today than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You would be surprised how far that gets you.” I personally have taken that as advice for how I live my life.
I am the first in the family to have ever wanted a job that involves the media. I think being a youth reporter is a great start for the present and the future of my life. I am happy to be where I am and to have received this job. I’m excited to see where this is going to go!
Entrepreneurs In Meadowview Get Creative
In the community of South Sacramento California, in the Meadowview area, there are many inspiring business owners who strive perseveringly to expand their business. During recent interviews, most stated that they got tired of working for others and decided to direct their energy towards their own goals and aspirations.
Everyone has their own path in life and these individuals decided to take the road less traveled. With a simple idea, and a drive to pursue it, their businesses have grown. Many interviewed were street vendors and some sold from small rented buildings.
“I have a daughter and I want to show her that there are better ways to make a living, though it wasn’t easy,” says Nikki from Nikki’s $1 Jewelry. “I wanted to make a difference by helping others feel better about themselves by making jewelry that is inexpensive and good-looking”
Mr. Kennard owns a business called “Nardo’s Platinum Services” and sellis his merchandise on 24th Street across from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
Me: How did you start your business?
Kennard: My cousin from Pittsburg California was selling perfume oils and I started from there and just expanded.
Me: How do you think your business will benefit our community as well as others?
Kennard: Well, what I do is I provide a lesser price for example; I’m selling this shirt that at Kmart would normally be $14.99 I would sell it to the community for $8.
Me: How has owning a business affected your life?
Kennard: It’s a big difference because I used to drive trucking and you have to get up early in the morning, then I had to go pick up my truck, load it up, then deliver. Then I would come back, unload whatever I didn’t deliver. It freed up my time to do something else just for the family, and there is nothing like owning your own business. It takes a lot of work though, some days its long hours. I like it though because it I’m a friendly person and I like meeting people.
Not everyone has to live their life working under others to survive. There’s always other options, and if you have an idea for a business that you want to pursue, despite your doubts, go for it and have faith in yourself.
VIDEO: Casting votes in hopes to change the future
November 4th was the day that registered voters all around California had a chance to get their voices heard through voting during the mid-term elections. One local polling place in Meadowview was at Antioch Progressive Church. Voters were able to cast their ballots there, or even drop off their mail-in ballots. Last year in South Sacramento, the voter turnout was low in some areas. With hopes to get more participants this year, campaigning and their publicity has focused a lot on the voters themselves.
Family Development Center helps Kids in Apartment Complexes
Hiding in Meadow Glen Apartments, located in Sacramento’s Meadowview neighborhood, is the Roberts Family Development Center (RFDC). This youth center is one of many located throughout Sacramento and Stockton California. In August 2001 the co-founders Derrell and Tina Roberts established RFDC in dedication to their grandparents Edmond St. Cyr Jr. and Ronie Howard. RFDC is an after school/summer program that is linked with its fellow school districts. There are ten locations to be exact, all in which take place in the parents of the students residential apartment complex community rooms.
RFDC Meadow Glen is funded by the Sacramento School District, John Co and Company, and the Council Members Office. Due to the lack of care providers for children in low- income neighborhoods, RFDC provides a safe and educational place for kids ages 14 and under. The program assists with school work, field trips, and even recreational activities. The children not only get extra educational help, but they leave everyday with a sense of community and teamwork.
“The Roberts Family Development Center has helped me realize I don’t like bullying,” says Ashley, a 10-year-old youth member. “R- respect yourself and others, F- follow directions at all times, D- demonstrate a positive attitude, and C- is consider the consequences of your actions. So that means that you’re supposed to treat others as you want to be treated.”
That is the Roberts Family Development Center’s mission statement for the kids. No matter what school the children are coming from, staff from RFDC repeat this as they walk with the young members to their nearest center. Friendships and student relationships are built as a result of the amount of teamwork delivered from the students, their school personnel, and the staff of RFDC.
Children are our future, therefore it is a wonderful opportunity for parents in need, students in need, but as well as communities in need. Youth that are filled with meaningful activities are less likely to be apart of the neighborhood crime levels. As the stigma of the neighborhood continues to change, the Roberts Family Development Center is hoping to keep the youth focused on the positive in their lives.
Introducing Zitiah Shabazz, Neighborhood News Correspondent
Hello, my name is Zitiah Shabazz
Hello, my name is Zitiah Shabazz and I was born in Chico California, but am now a resident of an area in South Sacramento known as Meadowview. As a child, all I ever wanted was to be on television. The only specifics I was aware of, was that I wanted to talk about things and people of importance. I know now that I have a chance to do exactly that with my new opportunity as a Youth News Correspondent. I now have the chance to give back to my community, to strengthen my skills as a journalist, and learn what this new business has to offer.There are several different reasons why this is the perfect career path for me.
There are several different reasons why this is the perfect career path for me.
First off, my ideal in life is to be open-minded. This world and the people in it have so much knowledge and experience to offer. Pathing a way for something new can open amazing doors and skills a person never knew existed.
Second, the excitement that cameras bring gave me a burst of curiosity as to what happens behind the scenes. So growing up I have tried to be in front and behind a camera as much as possible.
Finally, the simple joy I receive from community interaction and opinions. I believe an important element of survival is knowing what is going on around you. This means being involved with the people around you and places near you which are vital in the community.
I am very excited to become a part of AccessLocal.Tv and I plan to take everything I will learn here next level of success.
My Neighborhood, Meadowview
Welcome back to my neighborhood, Meadowview. This time I take you around and show you some things I like about my neighborhood, and a big problem, empty lots.
My neighborhood: Meadowview
This is a brief video I shot of my neighborhood, Meadowview. Went around to the parks and nearby community places. Everything was in walking distance and that’s really nice to have in a neighborhood.
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