Calvary United Methodist Church, Syracuse, has launched a series of public discussions to enhance awareness of several issues important to Syracuse and the surrounding communities.

The meetings will be held at the church, located at 801 S. Huntington
St., Syracuse, the fourth Wednesday of the month (May 27 and June 24). Each program
will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a 35- to 40-minute keynote presentation, followed by a 25-minute question and answer session. The evenings will wind up with half an
hour of chat time with the speakers; refreshments will be served. The programs will end at 8 p.m.

“The Calvary Community Series provides an opportunity for airing and discussing issues vital to our families, schools and neighborhoods,” according to a statement released by the church. “Bringing the insights and knowledge of Drs. Tom Edington and Larry Allen to a forum focusing on education and medical care will broaden our understanding of how an entire community is already involved with these concerns. Calvary believes these Wednesday conversations are a good step forward in building a strong community.”

Edington will speak on May 27 on the new elementary and its value to the students and community.

Allen will give the June address on “The Value In Health Care Challenge.”

The series began April 22 with David Cates, judge of Kosciusko County Superior Court 1, as keynote speaker. He presented “What Happens in Juvenile Court Stays in Juvenile Court—Unless It Doesn’t.”

“There is a direct correlation between kids who are repeat offenders within the juvenile system and those who move on to commit crimes as adults,” said Cates. “Once they do, not only are victims impacted but you and I are paying for their housing and punishment. The purpose of the juvenile system is to try to prevent that.”

Cates noted the economic impact of juvenile misbehavior and subsequent adult crime.

“Once you get to the adult stage you are talking a very significant expense. We’re looking to implement a community corrections program to lower some of those costs,” he said, citing home monitoring of nonviolent offenders as one cost-saving measure.

“Years ago we had crews on the road but we ran into insurance costs,” Cates said. “With a community corrections program, that cost is spread across the state for adults and juveniles. The greatest punishment for juveniles is the public shame of picking up cans
alongside the road. They don’t want their buddies to drive by and see that.”

Cates attributed much juvenile crime to a “breakdown in the nuclear family unit. Kids are
subjected to improper influences. You have to break that cycle or it then becomes my issue and I have to address it. “The number one factor to keep the kids out of the system is to be involved in their lives,” said Cates.

That involvement includes the entire community, according to Pastor David Henry, who conceived of the monthly dialogues. “We are already impacted,” he said, “and we can all pay now or we’ll all pay later.

“The church community has the same interests as the rest of the community,” said Henry. “We wanted to bring some conversation together and provide help and solutions.”

For more information, call (574) 457-3778 or visit www.syracusecalvaryumc.org.