Pursuit of Happiness aiding youth impacted by gang violence

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Loretta Tate is a mom who says her son was hanging out with the wrong crowd. She says there are a lot of things to worry about as a mother but, your son being shot at shouldn’t be one of them.

“That really just scares me,” said Tate.

She said the pursuit of happiness is helping her son get back on the right track.

“They have helped him grow better. He’s (Gordon) really a good mentor with all kids, especially kids out here,” said Tate.

The pursuit of happiness goes into communities to try and connect with kids and provide counseling for children who have suffered from gun and gang violence.

“There’s some safety issues. So other agencies are refusing to come in and provide these services. Regardless of the gun violence, regardless of the safety issues, we will come in and provide the psychoeducation around trauma,” said Gordon.

“You can’t build a wall high enough to keep hopelessness out, so we got to begin to tear down the wall so our kids can have everything they should have,” said Rogers.

Michael Gordon said, unfortunately, there are not enough resources due to not enough money to provide all the support the community needs.

“The violence from these kids is becoming younger and younger. Referrals are increasing and we have to figure out a way to raise additional funds so we can accept these kids,” said Gordon.

Rogers said the only way to stop crimes, like gun and gang violence, is to help the children before it’s too late.

“Nobody wakes up one morning to say I’m gonna blow somebody’s brains out. It’s a matriculation of things regarding trauma when they’re young and if it’s not treated correctly it will go on. We have to treat it before it starts,” said Rogers.

The Pursuit of Happiness is holding a month long Drive to Thrive campaign, to raise the needed money. If you would like to donate, you can contact Gordon at the Pursuit of Happiness.