"A constant presence:" Alderman reconnects with Milwaukee's kids after devastation at beloved park
MILWAUKEE -- Think back to when you were a kid. Remember your favorite place to play? Well, how would you feel if you woke up and found that place fenced off, and the business across the street burned down. It's a traumatic sight for some of Sherman Park's youngest residents.
The signs of the strife are still evident in Sherman Park.
"You see that gas station over there? That looks bad," said Anton Smith, Crispy Cuts.
An inviting place to play looks more like a construction zone. But among the aftermath is a sign of hope happening in a barber's chair.
"We want to see where their head is at," said Smith.
Anton Smith is just one barber "cutting out violence" by offering free haircuts to kids.
"While they're in the chair we create a dialogue, their name, their age, how many brothers and sisters they have, what school they go to, what they want to be when they grow up," said Smith.
It's conversations like these that can have a big impact on the future.
"You know right now the credibility and the concept of the American dream is lagging, they don't believe that the opportunity for them to be successful exists. We don't see it here in Milwaukee," said Milwaukee Alderman Kalif Rainey.
After graduating college, Milwaukee Alderman Kalif Rainey is serving the neighborhood he grew up in.
Mary Stoker Smith talks with Ald. Khalif Rainey
"All of us who have moved forward need to come back and show others how to do it as well," said Rainey.
Rainey is optimistic things can improve. But is quick to point out many living in poor communities in Milwaukee, have felt increasingly marginalized with little to no hope.
"I think many of us knew it was inevitable that eventually this thing will blow," said Rainey.
By being a positive role model, he hopes to inspire the next generation.
"Having a constant presence, letting them know that you could be a young elected official in leadership, that you could be successful and that the possibility does exist," said Rainey.
Anton Smith
Smith is doing his part to send a positive message, teaching a community of kids valuable lessons one cut at a time.
"Make sure you tell anybody thank you when they do something nice for you, OK? That's what nice guys do," said Smith.
Alderman Railey says recruitment will be a big part of his efforts. Recently, he asked 500 fathers to meet him at Moody Park to demonstrate what he calls their power to take back households in their neighborhood.
Rainey says he will continue that.