FREEDOM CHAPEL AND FARMINGDALE STATE COLLEGE (FSC) BRING TOGETHER POLICE AND HUNDREDS OF BLACK YOUTH TO BUILD A BETTER RELATIONSHIP — On July 26, 2016, Freedom Chapel in Amityville, N.Y. brought together over 175 girls and boys ages eight-17 and staff at their Hoop Challenge basketball camp. The majority of the participants were African American. Professor James Rooney (who is white) of FSC was invited as one of their motivational speakers. Prof. Rooney is also a detective and decorated member of the Suffolk County Police Department. At a time when many communities in America are reeling from tense, hostile and at times deadly encounters between Black youth and police, Freedom Chapel through their Teen Challenge program, took a very public and necessary step to bring together police and Black youth with FSC’s First Responder program. PHOTO: Detective James Rooney hugged by youth after delivering a powerful talk on building better relationships between police and Black youth. Amityville, NY (BlackNews.com
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