Memorial fund established for nonviolence street worker
10:54 AM Tue, Jun 02, 2009 | Permalink
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Get the 7 to 7 on your mobile at www.projo.com. Twitter: projo | RSS | Email alerts PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence has established a memorial fund in the name of a streetworker who was killed early Sunday in a multi-car accident on Route 95 north.  David Cartagena and his daughter Jada. ISPN photo / Richard KazirianMultimedia: "They're not throw-away kids, so I don't give up on 'em": Watch "Serving a Purpose," an audio slideshow on David Cartagena, by Rishwanth Jayapaul Teny O. Gross, the institute's executive director, said the David J. Cartagena Memorial Fund will help finance activities for at-risk youth across the city and keep them out of trouble. Cartagena was instrumental in organizing a basketball tournament at the Davey Lopes Center on the city's South Side that took place less than 12 hours after his death. ``People have been asking us how they can help,'' Gross said. He said that he has received condolences from a streetworker in Panama, and Tufts University in Boston is interested in establishing a memorial that will annually recognize Cartagena's contributions to end youth violence in Providence. Cartagena, 38, was a former member of the Almighty Latin King Nation with a lengthy criminal record. He acquired the nickname, "Devious,'' for once escaping through the roof of the old Providence police station in LaSalle Square. Gross hired him as a streetworker four years ago and he became one of the agency's most effective speakers. He was well known as a peacemaker among rival gangs in the city. Calling hours for Cartagena will be on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bell Funeral Home, 571 Broad St., in Providence. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Michael's Church, Oxford Street, in Providence. Donations can be made to the David J. Cartagena Memorial Fund, c/o the Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence, 9 Central St., Providence, RI 02907. The state police have charged drivers in two separate cars involved in the crash with alcohol-related crimes and the case remains under investigation. A state police lieutenant said that further criminal charges are ``likely.'' 
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OMG i cant believe this I didnt read the whole thing my apologies to Jada and her mother i am so sorry that is so unfair he didnt deserve that not at all David GOD BLESS YOU Im so sorry my god i cant believe this
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I met David when he was the street worker at Perry, a school at which I taught for eight years (when I left three years ago he was still there). The students thought highly of him. He could really reach out to them. This is a tragic loss. My condolences to the family.
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I've Known David Since I Attended Perry, And When I Came To Hope I Started Seeing Him More Often Again. He Kept Me Out Of Trouble A lot And I Love Em For That. Ill Always Remember Everything I Learned From You And I'll Stay Out Of Trouble For You
Rest In Peace David
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I,ve known David for a few years and he was a great guy and anwsome father i not only feel for his mom and siblings his daughter will never see her daddy again. she is too young to under stand and her family will make sure she remembers him all her life thank god for family and to the drunk driver who ended his life god help you because you have taken some one that was changing the world one street at a time and you have taken a father away from his beautiful daughter and a friend from all of us..... i hope you that this accident show how stupid drinking and driving is and that its no joke i extend my deepest sympathy to his family and his baby girl good bye david we will miss you
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OMG , i was shocked when i found that he past away . the first time i seen him was when i was in the sixth grade at perry. he use to come to my math class & use to sit infront of my friend kristyana. then i joined them, my math teacher use to turn red like a tomatoe when he entered. i felt like i seen him yesterday at perry. & now hes gone. how ? why? so many questions run through my head . i know ALOT of people miss him, because today in school me & my friend were crying all day remebering how we use to be . & my teacher, Ms.Cruz, now she was completly crushed , because she had known him for 4 years. R.I.P davis J cartagena
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It is sad to see such an influential individual to the providence community fall victim to the devastating result of drunk driving. I met David a couple of years back, when my brother attended Perry middle school, and he was in fact an incredible human being, dedicated to his goal of helping teens stay out of trouble. My condolence goes out to his family. We should all take a second to think about how are actions may affect others. If those two individuals would have chosen not to drive under the influence of alcohol, a life would have not been taken, and a family wouldn’t have to explain to a little girl why her father is in haven now.
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May god bring peace to his family and friends. Keep peace in his honor. he may not walk amoung us but he will forever watch over us. Make him proud.
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david always been a cool nice friendly guy. always telling people to go to school everyday and don't give up. & now he's gone and what can we do without him. i'm a student at perry and i been knowing david for two years always shaking people hands and asking them how there doing. WE MISS AND LOVE YOU ALWAYS DAVID. R.I.P DAVID CARTAGENA. meet you in heaven buddy.
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