An overnight dream prompted a public dialogue on youth violence at Westwood Plaza Monday evening, moderated by FailSafe-Era founder Juanita Shanks.
Shanks lost her son in 2021. He struggled with incarceration and drug abuse, leaving behind an infant son and a daughter. She vowed not to let it become a generational curse.
FailSafe-ERA, a nonprofit organization launched in 2009, aims to prevent generational incarceration by engaging families, youth, community leaders, law enforcement, and faith institutions to create pathways to hope, healing, and opportunity.
After last month’s shooting in the Olde Greenwich community — where three teenagers died at the hands of other teens during a gun sale-turned-robbery — Shanks said that “God told me to sound the alarm.” That call to action became the theme of Monday night’s community forum at FailSafe’s Fredericksburg office.
Pastor Earl Richardson, members of law enforcement, and Antwuan Gaye — legendary musician Marvin Gaye’s brother — were among the first people Shanks called for assistance.
She opened the event with a quick presentation to spark conversation among attendees. She laid out the data: according to the World Health Organization, 193,000 people between the ages of 15 and 29 die by homicide annually, making it the number-one cause of death for that age group.
Attendees opined that adolescents today often show disrespect for authority, are excited about guns, lack accountability, and rely heavily on artificial intelligence for answers — leading them to disengage from parents.
“We can’t just keep preaching to the kids — we have to meet them where they are,” said Eunice Haigler, a local activist.
Other suggestions included creating more youth activities, giving teachers more support, establishing mentorship programs, and making time to learn directly from the youth.
Margarida Figueroa, a deputy with the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Department and mother of two, observed that troubling behavior is starting at younger ages.
The Sheriff’s Department has received the green light from Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) Superintendent Clint Mitchell to establish a program that works more closely with troubled youth in the county. Figueroa expressed gratitude for Mitchell’s support and said other counties should follow his lead.
Figueroa also noted an uptick in physical assaults, sexual assaults, human trafficking, and use-of-force incidents among middle and high school students.
Added Sergeant Steven Curtis of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “The pandemic made things worse, but we were already headed in the wrong direction.”
Children were taught the “six-foot” distancing rule during COVID-19, and that barrier remained in their mindset, he said. Curtis has noticed shorter attention spans among youth, which he believes fuels their obsession with social media drama and TikTok challenges.
“Adults are fighting online too — people just see opposition,” Curtis added.
FailSafe-Era runs two major programs — Right Road Re-entry and Prevent Generations of Incarceration — for individuals who are incarcerated or reentering society. Both programs focus on families and offer transformative services aimed at breaking the cycle of incarceration. A mental health practitioner is also available for those struggling with mental health issues.
Each year, FailSafe-Era supports over 1,500 inmates, 500 returning citizens, and 300 families including both adults and juveniles. The programs provide second-chance employment opportunities through partnerships with businesses like Inn at the Old Silk Mill, Goodwill, and Orleans Bistro. Shanks also works with Germanna Community College to provide educational support for troubled youth and inmates.
As an advocate for second chances, Shanks said she’s grateful for FailSafe-Era’s partnership with Konnect Ministries, owned by Brian Freeman. Freeman previously served in law enforcement for eight years, including two as a narcotics detective.
While still employed in law enforcement, Freeman became addicted to drugs. He later committed violent acts that led to a five-year prison sentence.
“For the longest time, I didn’t think I could live with the shame. I lost my job, wife, and home,” Freeman said.
“It’s not our successes that connect us — it’s our failures,” he added.
After rehabilitation, Freeman successfully purchased a 20-bed, 7.5-bath recovery residence on five acres of land in Spotsylvania.
After a two-hour, think-tank-style conversation, Shanks, law enforcement, and community members plan to build on the momentum by establishing an action plan. The next meeting will be held on May 12 at New Restoration Outreach Church (203 Kings Highway).
