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KCK reacts to 5th murder in 5 days

Posted at 4:01 PM, Mar 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-08 18:20:28-05

If Wyandotte County is serious about ending the robberies, assaults and as of late the homicides, the city needs to invest in its youth, said Manuela Arambula.

"That has always been my goal - to change at least one child's life the way Bethel changed mine," said Arambula.

 

 

Arambula grew up going to the Bethel Neighborhood Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Now she works there as a program coordinator. 

"I didn't have the best influences in my life so by coming to the program they helped me guide myself the right way," she said. 

MORE: The top 30 murder capitals of the U.S. (WyCO came in at #12)

That's why she and coworker Jordan Milan said centers like Bethel are important - they can play a major role in keeping kids and even adults off the streets, away from gangs and out of trouble by creating a sense of community.

"Bethel is seen as a beacon of hope in our community," said Milan. "I want them to remember that we are trying to spread our light to the community, to their children, to families that come to Bethel."

Find a community center near you.

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Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.

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