October 4, 2008 
            Section: EDITORIAL 
            Edition: FINAL EDITION 
            Page: A10 


            Inner-city tour features bright spots 
            RUSS PULLIAM 
            Auto dealer Don Palmer had a personal stake in how Congress dealt 
            with the nation's financial crisis last week. But his attention was 
            focused elsewhere, on Indianapolis' urban core, where he led about 
            60 of his friends on a bus tour of inner-city ministries and 
            neighborhoods.

            Palmer wanted his mostly suburban group to see hope amid all the 
            news about crime, drug abuse and broken families. He also has 
            started the Hoosier Christian Foundation to support local 
            ministries.
            The daylong tour included stops at the Marion County juvenile court 
            facility, Providence Cristo Rey High School on the Westside and 
            Shepherd Community Center on the Eastside.
            Jireh Sports Center Director Tim Streett guided the tour through the 
            Martindale-Brightwood, one of the city's earliest African-American 
            neighborhoods. The Jireh Center at 23rd Street and Ralston offers 
            families and children alternative sports, including gymnastics and 
            wrestling.
            Streett hopes the center can rebuild the old Douglas Little League 
            facility on its property. The site was once the home of the 
            Indianapolis Clowns in the early 1950s, featuring famous names such 
            as home-run king Henry Aaron and pitcher Satchel Paige.
            At the juvenile court, Judge Marilyn Moores echoed a theme of the 
            day. "Not having a dad is huge," she said, noting the vulnerability 
            of the fatherless teenagers she sees in court.
            "We've got to bring back the family," she said.
            The Rev. Mel Jackson took over the tour on the Westside, where he 
            runs the Westside Community Ministries and pastors Christian Love 
            Baptist Church.
            He's 77 years old, but his lifestyle suggests a younger heart. He 
            helps prisoners return to the neighborhood, with job referrals and 
            other assistance. Yet he's not soft on crime. "I'm the biggest 
            snitch in the community," he declares. "People do not need to be 
            held hostage by the drug dealers. We can't give our communities over 
            to criminals."
            On the Eastside, tour guide Cory Johnson talked about his church for 
            children at Brookside Park on Saturday mornings. The informal church 
            attracts young people whose families don't attend on Sundays. While 
            he was growing up in Indianapolis, Johnson's parents divorced. His 
            mother chose a lesbian lifestyle. His father, now a man of faith, 
            was abusive.
            Cory turned to drug dealing in those early years. He was saved from 
            that life by a conversion to Jesus Christ. Now he has two passions 
            -- the gospel of Christ and literacy for young people. "The one 
            thing that will make the real change is the gospel of Jesus Christ," 
            he said.
            The bus tour didn't lead to any specific actions or grants. "You 
            hope that people will engage in relationships with their 
            less-fortunate neighbors," Palmer said. "Many of the people we met 
            are like us. They love their kids like we do. Maybe we should do for 
            our neighbor what we are willing to do for our own children in 
            education and opportunity."
            Pulliam is associate editor of The Star. Contact him at (317) 
            444-6001 or at russell.pulliam@indystar.com.
            .






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            with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.


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