Janella Newsome Staff reporter

May 30, 2009
NEW ORLEANS—
Ratcheting up the effort to keep teens out of trouble, a body shop mechanic says he's fed up with the gun violence in the city. He's doing something about it, but it's no free ride.

Rickey Wilson says he can always get another car. Wilson, founder of Rickey's Save the Youth Team sold his beloved car. Took the money, purchased a van that is used to transport kids who participate in his non-profit organization. Wilson says you can't put a price on a life.

News & weather text alerts -- free on your cell phone from WGNO!

11-year-old Tiffany Landry leads her classmates in a cheer known as the circle of love. The gesture of love and respect is done daily at this New Orleans East non-profit called Rickey's Save the Youth Team. The founder, Rickey Wilson, says this is a concerned father's attempt to end the gun violence escalating among young black males.

Wilson explains, "They really want to know what the youth team is based on. So, we gotta show 'em that the youth team is based on love and respect."

Wilson works with 21 kids between the ages of 6 and 15. He motivates and encourages them to do their personal best while giving back to the community. Saturday they were picking up trash at Robert Park in New Orleans East.

Tiffany Landry, Rickey's Save the Youth Team participant said, "I just like that we meet powerful people because Mr. Rickey said we gone need them people one day and I think that's the truth that we gone really need them people." Troy Morgan, Rickey's Save the Youth Team participant said, "We help them with their homework. Show them how to cook and all this. We take them out to field trips and everything. We teach them about stereotypes. We do like a lot of things with them. Teach them not to use profanity. Teach 'em the right way."

When Wilson started the organization in February 2009, he says he had no idea how quickly it would grow. So much so, that he sold his most prized possession, a pimped up 1997 Cadillac Eldorado and purchased a 15-passenger van for the kids.

Says Wilson, "I love my car but for $10,000 to have 21 kids supporting me in what I do, it was worth it."

Though the participants are increasing, the staff is not. Wilson says he needs social workers and tutors. If you'd like to volunteer your time and or money,you can contact Rickey's Save the Youth Team at rickeysyouthteam.com.