Youth center on N. Clinton Ave. helps to host back-to-school bash

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)— Many kids are headed back to school next week. That’s why the Latino Youth and Development Center on N. Clinton Avenue played host to a “Back-To-School Bash” Sunday.

Grassroots organization, Dezio & Gingello Foundation, worked fast to secure a new host location after a planned picnic at Maplewood Park was not able to come to fruition. The goal was to create a safe space, where the community could come together in the aftermath of the deadly double shooting there just weeks prior.

“We did suffer a small ‘stutter-step’ by not being able to have it at Maplewood,” Jake Bishop, the executive director of Dezio & Gingello Foundation began. “Obviously we want people to come out and feel safe in a neighborhood like that at the park after the tragedy that happened – shout-out to the families – but we believe it’s more important – the obligations to the people morally than it is politically, that some people might have asked us to leave.”

That goal remained the same Sunday at the Latino Youth and Development Center, as the organizations gathered the community together, while also helping out kids ahead of the schoolyear.

“With the economy so high, we’re having problems – people buying bookbags, et cetera for their kids and this is a joy to be here with the community,” said Carlos Vargas, a volunteer with the Latino Youth and Development Center.

The event also featured free pizza from Capone’s Italian Eatery.

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