As teen violence rises, Canton nonprofit to teach youths how to treat gunshot wounds

CANTON – A nonprofit that sponsored activities for children in a city park last year will offer first-aid training this summer so kids in crime-stricken neighborhoods know how to treat gunshot wounds and other injuries.

The unusual program — a partnership of Canton for All People and the Stark County Black Nurses Association — comes as city police are dealing with a rise in the number of teens involved in gun-related crimes.

Ten teenagers have been accused in seven separate and violent gun-related crimes in Canton so far this year. Two more teens died in Canton in unrelated shootings within the last year — one shot to death in a stolen car in February and the other shot to death in September during a chase involving two other stolen cars.

The Rev. Don Ackerman, pastor at Crossroads United Methodist Church and executive director of Canton for All People, wanted to start the first aid effort after listening to a 10-year-old girl talk so matter-of-factly about the gunfire in the Shorb neighborhood where she lives.

"It broke my heart," he said, shaking his head. "If my kids heard [gunfire], it would be a huge event. But she talked about it so casually ..."

Summertime fun in the name of safety

Canton for All People is sponsoring Canton Kids, a summer program serving youth in higher crime areas.

This year, the Stark County Black Nurses Association is joining the events, providing children first aid information such as what type of medical facility to go and to how to treat stab and gunshot wounds.

Last summer, volunteers with Canton for All People walked door-to-door in the Shorb Avenue NW area, inviting children free-of-charge to King Park at Sixth Street and High Avenue NW.

"Here was this beautiful park and no children were playing in it," said Ackerman, who served 10 years in the Army, including two tours in Afghanistan.

The nonprofit hooked up water hoses for the children to play in the summer heat, and provided water balloons and free ice cream, he said, adding that about 30 kids not involved in other organized activities routinely showed up.

"After a week of us being there, the [criminal element hanging out in the park] walked another way. They left us alone," the pastor said. "We were just trying to keep the parks safe. We just wanted to give kids a safe place to play, a safe place to behave."

This year, the group plans to hold similar events in the city's neighborhoods that have seen the most crime and gang activity: Shorb, again, and those near Gibbs Elementary School, Harmont Park in the northeast part of the city and Jackson Park on Cherry Avenue SE.

Free first aid kids available

This year, free first aid kits will be available for residents, including children, Ackerman said.

When he was in the Army, "You go into dangerous situations all the time, but what made you feel more safe is being prepared, having the equipment you'd need," he said.

"We are purchasing first aid kits for homes that may need them to save a life. Going back to my combat life-saver training — and I'm not a medic — but I [knew] that I might be able to do something before [help] arrives to save someone."

Young kids can be taught how to stop bleeding and how tourniquets work, and they "may be able to do something to save a life" before medics arrive, he said.

McKinley High School senior Taylor Vickers came up with the idea to provide basic first aid training. She is also a board member for Canton for All People.

Latoya Dickens-Jones, a doctor of nursing practice-advanced practice registered nurse who is a member of the association, will teach children the types of medical emergencies that require different facilities, such as when to go to a doctor, an urgent care facility or a hospital emergency room. She also will teach basic first aid to include what to do in the event someone suffers a burn, stab wound or gunshot wound.

She pointed out that years ago, a child would need to retrieve a bandage for a fall from a bicycle.

"Now you need to be talking about what to do when your friend gets shot," she said.

The training can be helpful for a child as young as 6 years old, she said.

'Can we help the people who live here feel safer?'

The first aid lessons will take place during the summertime activities with the first park event tentatively slated for June 10 at Shorb Avenue NW and Sixth Street, Ackerman said.

The first aid instruction is for children of all ages.

"Most of the time, (the kids) are just there to play," Ackerman said.

He is aware that his organization can't prevent violent crime from happening.

"Can we help the people who live here feel safer?" he asked. "Yeah, I can help kids feel safer. I can help families be prepared. I can help trying to pull the police into building closer relationships with their community."

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton for All People to help teach kids how to treat gunshot wounds