Our official statement on David's passing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 31, 2009            CONTACT:     Teny Gross, 401-639-7406
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David Cartagena, Senior Streetworker,
Passes Away at 38

David Cartagena of North Providence, a Senior Streetworker at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, passed away this weekend after a car accident in Providence.  He was 38 years old.  He is survived by his parents and a young daughter.

Today at 1:00 pm, a basketball tournament will be played in David’s honor at Davey Lopes Recreation Center, 227 Dudley Street, Providence.  This tournament was organized by the Institute’s Community Leaders, a group of youth training in leadership development and community organizing.  The tournament is one of the program’s culminating events.

David Cartagena had worked at the Institute as a nonviolence trainer and a Streetworker since 2005, and was enrolled in a case management program at Rhode Island College’s School of Social Work.  He sat on several steering committees working on issues affecting children, youth and families.  Recently, David was the subject of a documentary photo essay by Rishwanth Jayapaul, called “Serving a Purpose,” which is visible at http://viiphoto.ning.com/video/serving-a-purpose.

David was a former gang member who turned his life around and dedicated himself to the cause of nonviolence. In recent years, he was recognized by law enforcement and community organizations as a skilled mediator and valuable partner.  A gifted public speaker and storyteller, he was sought after as a speaker in nonviolence trainings.  He testified before Congress on gang intervention strategies and has worked with professionals in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Detroit, Michigan and Portland, Oregon on ways to curb youth violence. 

The Institute’s Executive Director, Teny Gross, says “David was an exceptional youth worker and an excellent human being.  He had only begun to make his impact on the community he loved to serve.  As his Institute family, we hope his impact will continue to be felt for a long time to come.  We will not soon recover from the heartbreak of this tragedy.”

About the Institute

The Streetworkers are outreach workers who mentor youth who are at risk of joining gangs or committing violence.  They also provide opportunities for young people to commit to nonviolence and offer them resources to build more hopeful and productive futures.

The Institute for Study and Practice of Nonviolence teaches by word and example the principles and practices of nonviolence, and fosters a community that addresses potentially violent situations with nonviolent solutions. The Institute has helped to significantly lower violent crimes in the City of Providence, particularly youth violence; and in 2006, the Institute was named a “best practice” by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The Institute is able to carry out its work with five core programs: Nonviolence Trainings, Nonviolence Streetworkers, Youth Programs, Juvenile Re-Entry and Victims Support Services. All of these programs encompass the nonviolence principles upon which the Institute was founded, and help build a stronger community.
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Comments

[Wrenele]

I saw David about 2 weeks ago at a fundraiser for Sophia Academy. He was there doing what he did best, supporting a young girl heading down the wrong path. Although he didn't know me well, he would always ask about my son whenever he saw me. The picture of him on the news holding his baby girl Jada, is exactly as he was on the day I saw him. We spoke in length and I can honestly say I wept for his baby girl, immediate family,Institute family, and for our community. He leaves a void that cannot be replaced. He spoke with much convictions and genuineness that conveyed how much he truly cared & loved his work! We have lost an honorable man!

[Tides Family Services, Inc.]

David will be dearly missed. He dedicated his life to helping any youth in the community who was at risk. David was a tremendous friend, both professionally and personally. Tides Staff will honor his death by continuing to serve high risk youth with the same dedication as David. May he rest in peace.

[Nicole]

I saw David on Saturday he and Jada spent all afternoon with his Church family. Playing family games and just loving each other. He will be truly missed.

David, you really are an inspiration. May you rest in love of the father's arms.

I am praying for Shannon, Jada and your entire family!

Rest in heavenly peace!

With love your friend and sister in Christ.
N

[lisandra manton]

siento mucho su perdida se le recordara siempre

[Shannon Godbout]

I still cant believe he is gone. I feel like I am stuck in a bad dream. My poor daughter lost a wonderful father, and I a wonderful man. Thank you's to all those who commented. May David rest now in the love of the Lord. I will miss him more than anything in my whole life. My condolences to the ISPN family for your loss as well. I love you guys!

[Hope]

I met David at his daughter's first birthday party. I am friends with both his fiance shannon and her sister megan. He had brought his boss and one of the kids he worked with joey to the party. It made me smile at how wide eyed joey was to be in the woods on a farm with farm animals. For the past 2 yrs I have watched his daughter grow. and even though she is now only three she has such an amazing personality. I shed tears for I now will never get to she Jada scream "DADDY" or Hear david say "who's daddy's little girl. I no longer get to hear shannon tell me how much of a difference he makes in the lives of the children of providence. He never came accross as anything but someone anyone could talk to. He loved what he did as much as his jada bug his boo. Through my tears i shed of such tragidy i commence ISPN workers for what they do. They have lost a great man. David you were a good man and a great father. I am glad to have met you and have gotten to know you in the short 3yrs. I will forever see you in jada for as shannon puts it she is your "mini me". To me you have made up for all you have done wrong and earned your wings. Please shine down on your "kids" and may they know your always there. And may you become shannon and jada's guardian angel always looking over them. And may you finally have peace and rest. I will see you soon my friend..Hope

[Julie]

David touched the lives of so many people - including mine - and I don't think he realized how special, how wonderful he was. We lost a treasure this weekend... he was an amazing individual and will truly be missed.

[Brian Cummings]

I and a contingent of visitors from the Richmond Police Department (Richmond VA) had the blessing of an opportunity to meet David on Thursday May 21st on a visit to Providence. We came away so impressed by David and the whole Street Worker program. I think it was one of if not the highlight of our 4 day visit to Providence and it was truly God's blessing to us that we got to be in David's presence, hear his testimony and his passion and to come away inspired by his message. Not only Providence and the youth of Providence but the World has lost a diamond of a human being. Our thoughts and prayers are with David's family and friends and co-workers at the Institute.

[Jackie]

First and foremost, My deepest condolences to David's Family and My Family at The Institute on the passing of such a remarkable amazing young man. I had the great pleasure of being at The Institute's Christmas party where they showed the wonderful documentary of David's gift, his work with today's youth. I introduced myself to him to Thank him for what he does everyday, as my Mother was a victim of violence and that thank you turned into an hour long deep conversation that I will forever hold close to my heart. I was so touched by David, something just drew me to him, his story, his love for his job, his gift. We talked about his work with todays youth, his past, my mothers story, everything, and he ended with " I know I'll be seeing ya, but take care of yourself in the meantime" and he was right, every time I saw him at The Institute, he ALWAYS said hello to me, making me feel welcome, that he remembered me and always asked how I was doing. My heart breaks for the loss of such a remarkable human being such as David Cartagena. Being part of the Institute "family" , we grow close and this is a tremendous loss that will never be forgotten. The world needs more people like him. You earned those angel wings David, so fly high and watch over all of us and your youth, you have helped so many, if only you knew just how many. I am one of them. We need to carry on David's legacy and end the violence, like he said "practice what you preach" and we need to practice what David preached: PEACE
My deepest sympathies to everyone that was touched by David Cartagena. Rest Peacefully David.

[Sarahi Rosario]

I had the pleasure of working with David for a year at the Institute. He truly was a hero..all of the Streetworkers are really. David Thanks for touching so many lives.. Rest in peace.. A su family mis mas sentidas condolencias..El era una gran persona. Estoy muy triste por su perdida pero a la misma ves muy orgullosa que puede hacer la diferencia con David por un tiempo..God bless..

[Megan Gaydos]

I first met David in August last year at the Institute's staff BBQ while visiting my sister Heather. I remember watching him lovingly hug his daughter and tell jokes that made me feel at ease despite being amidst strangers. It is so sad to hear of his passing and the loss of such an amazing individual. I know his memory, spirit, and strength of character live on through the inspiring work of Institute staff and family. But I send my warmest condolences and best wishes to you all.

[Shannon Godbout]

I wake up each morning with more emptiness in my heart. I look at my daughter who is David's "Mini-Me" and its so hard not to cry. Just like he helped everyone else in his life, he helped me. I love him, and can't imagine Jada growing up without him. David was a great man. He loved his family, and his job, and the kids that came with it. Fly with the Angels Baby... its time to rest. I will see you soon.

[Crystal]

RIP DAVID U WERE TRULY A GREAT GUY ONCE U TURNED UR LIFE AROUND AND MY SISTER N NEICE LOVED U AND I CANT IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH BUT I KNOW U WILL BE WATCHING OVER EVERYONE...AND WE WILL ALL MISS U AND EVERYTHING U DID
<3CRYSTAL

[Mumu]

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (New International Version)

The Coming of the Lord

13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

BE BLESSED AS YOU READ THESE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!

[Mumu]

When I ask David if he was worried at all about possibly getting killed while working on the streets as a street worker. These were his words, "If God did not permit for me to get killed when I was on the streets doing bad things & deserved it; Then if I get killed doing something good, I am alright with that."

David was an incredible, intelligent, gifted, funny, loving, caring, good-hearted man.

He will be greatly missed.

[Mumu]

Revelation 21 (New International Version)

The New Jerusalem

1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

DAVID OVERCAME!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

[Betsy Santiago]

David was my lil brothers mentor and his passing is tearing us all up inside,as it is everyone else...He was the ONLY person that cud talk 2 my lil brother and actually make him listen..My lil brother took the news REALLY hard and is saddened because he cant make the funeral due 2 him being incarcerated...David however lives strongly in our familys hearts...He came to my house on Easter and he brought us all food to eat that he got from his church and tole my bro he was gonna help him once he got out of jail..Im so upset and angry that his life was cut short..he was such an angel and we need more ppl like him...I hope all the kids he mentored and even us who he just graced wit his presence learn from his life and become like him...My condolences go out 2 his family and his beautiful lil daughter whom he ALWAYS had in his arms..its hard for all of us I can only imagine the emptiness they r dealing with...He was sweet, respectful, kind, and always their wen he was needed... dmn we miss him so much...R.I.P. DAVID...Its aazing how many lives uve touched...

[Nicole Trafford]

"Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

David was a peacemaker and he rest now in the Father's arms. I am praying for your family, Shannon, Jadda and all the kids you touched! God Bless.

[Andrew]

David was a truly wonderful and humble person, who made me feel so welcome every time I visited the Institute, and helped me learn so much through sharing his stories and his ideas as we created the altar to the victims of violence at Brown University.

He changed and saved so many. It is a tragic, senseless, painful loss. His inspiration will not be easily replaced. He himself never will.

He is in our thoughts, and will continue to inspire us with what is possible and important, for the rest of our lives.

[Vilmarie]

Ive know david since 2002 where his hang out was downtown and I was his old girlfirend, but i did i have feeling and still do come one he was a sexy guy with all feature all woamn would want. LOL i care about with all my heart I lost a good friend, Remebering david use to walk me to my bust stop waited with me until I got to the bus. always have orange coat on, or a sweater grey. i hope the family will learn that david is still alive in our heart for everybody and always will and for his daughter sweetie god bless mamita. Daddy loves you no matter what. I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU DAVID