The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence loses a great friend, David Cartagena

The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence is mourning the terrible loss of our beloved friend and peacemaker, David Cartagena, whose love, mentoring, intelligence and humor changed lives, inspired, and reminded us how the most loving and exceptional person can come from the hardest of circumstances.

We'd like to thank you all for your outpouring of support during this difficult time for the Institute family and the youth of Providence. (As a sampling, read the 50+ testimonials ("comments") here on this site about David's impact.)

The David Cartagena Memorial Fund has been established to help at-risk youth. To contribute to this fund, please make checks payable to the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence and write David Cartagena Memorial Fund in the memo line.
 
About David
David Cartagena of 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.

David Cartagena had worked at the Institute as a nonviolence trainer and a Streetworker since 2005, and was taking courses towards a Bachelors Degree 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, Guatemala, Massachusetts, Detroit, Michigan and Portland, Oregon on ways to curb youth violence. 

 "David was an exceptional youth worker and an excellent human being.  He made a huge 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. Our thoughts are with his family."-Teny Gross, Executive Director.

Further tributes about David's remarkable life can be found on our website at www.nonviolenceinstitute.org.
 
We love you David.

Photo credits:  Richard Kizirian - David Cartagena and his daughter Jada at Waterfire event for the Institute; black & white photo by Rishwanth Jaypaul from his photo essay on David.

Comments

[Johanna]

What a terrible loss, David will be sorely missed :( My heartfelt sympathy to the Cartagena Family.

[gene fogarty]

David was a special person.i am 51 yrs. old and i have to say he is probably the biggest reason i turned my life around.i was fortunate to have david as my sponsor for 1 yr.but i am most grateful for him never giving up on me,for giving my wife the strength to hang in there he will be missed horribly.my thoughts and prayers will be with shannon, his parents, and his daughter.farewell my friend, see you soon.

[Tim Fogarty]

RIP David, although I only met you briefly on the beaches of Narragansett, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping my brother and sister in law during a tough time. Your story as briefly depicted in the "serving a purpose video" is truly inspiring and I am sure you are being welcomed through the "pearly gates". Your family is in my prayers

[Jessica]

You will be very missed! I didn't know you well, but i know your daughter, and she is a sweet girl, beautiful girl, and I pray that you always keep you smile looking down on that lil daddy's girl like you always have!

[Estefany]

Rest In Peace David!I will miss you so very much!You taught me how to be worthy of myself and to make the right choice. You prooved to everyone that anybody can change for the best.You will not be with us phisically but you will be with us mentally.You will never be forgotten for all the things you have done for us!May GOD be with your family on every step of their way!

[lena]

i knew him by parties he knew my sister and we talk once a while and now i miss him

[Tracy Sherman]

David, you were a guardian angel on earth, and now you are one in heaven. You will forever be missed..
Always in my prayers, Tracy Sherman, School Psychologist, Perry Middle School

[Samnang Kea-Or]

David, I would like to thank you for coming into my classroom for the last three years from the bottom of my heart. Your presence and smile made such a significant impact on my students. You were their "guiding light" at the end of a very dark tunnel. I will continue to teach your message of peace and nonviolence daily. You will forever be missed, but will never be forgotton at Perry!!! May Buddha take good care of you in heaven as well as your family here!!!

Samnang Kea-Or, Special Education Teacher, Perry Middle School

[Lee Sperduti]

Heaven is surely the richer.

[Sherman]

To all of David's friends that I am sure encompassed the world:
While this will inevitably be a period of profound pain and grief, may I urge us all to commit ourselves to his model and message of nonviolence and peacekeeping. He was an avatar of perhaps the most difficult transformation imaginable. His impact was extraordinary. He touched so many people's lives, from the least to the most privileged. Those of us who teach and preach accountability and responsibility have the obligation to equip people with the ability to respond. Our Institute, where he has influenced our students and our pedagogy, will carry this obligation. David was at once tough and disarmingly sweet, eloquent and amazing in his insights. The clarity of his passion and moral convictions rang authentic every time he spoke to us. I vividly remember students from all over the world shaken and touched by David's speech, from as far away as Brazil, China, and Rwanda. He exposed them to an America we need them to know of, but most importantly of a soul whose fire for change, redemption, and reform was crucible-hot.

Teny, we know that David is irreplaceable. There is little that we can do to console one another at this point except to pledge as we have to work for the future, to ensure that David's memory is vibrant and that his and your message is sustainable. When you were with us as a student, you set a precedent of the highest integrity and passion. Watching what you and David have nurtured over the years remains an inspiration to successive generations of EPIIC and now Institute students. When this searing pain abates, we will follow your lead and David's, where you wish us to go. You are not alone.

[Maryanna Lapati]

David,
You were one extraordinary person whose dedication to our children was incredible! Your amazingly positive attitude with our students and commitment to them is indescribable. I thank you for always coming into my classroom at Perry and speaking to my students and helping me throughout the years. I know that the kids already miss you and I hope that they will honor you by leading a respectable, non-violent life. You have made a huge difference in the lives of many! Your family should be proud! You will be sorely missed by all who have ever come in contact with you. Both you and your family will be in my prayers.

Maryanna Lapati, 8th grade teacher, Perry Middle School

[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. One day, my brother, we will meet again!

[friend]

this tradgic death has really shock me and people all around and make me realize that death can strike at any moment to any one and its sad that this had to happen to david because of these students that have
decided to drive drunk and kill and innocent man who was helping the people in the community to have a better life and overcome city life problems and to leave his duaghter without a father just by one simple mistake and you say you have friend but then they let you drive home drunk to either harm yourself or a innocent man who really deserved a chance at life

[Shaila Cruz]

To David's family, Shannon, and his mini me my thoughts and prayers are with you in these hard times. David was a great leader, friend, and father. For the past four years David and I have spent countless hours talking about many things, students, parenthood and his journey in life. If there is one thing that he has taught me it is that patience and love conqours all. You have truly become much more than the man that you had set yourself out to be. You have earned your place in heaven. Rest in peace my dear friend and may God watch over Shannon, Jada and your family here on earth.

Shaila Cruz, 8th grade Math teacher,Perry Middle School

[Laquashia]

well what can i say he was a very good man. he taught me all i know. he showed me my right from wrongs. he ment alot to me and always will no matter what. Rest In Peace and ei will always be here for you . and im going to miss you alot. :)

[Laquashia]

Gone but never forgotten will always be remmbered. he was such a good person to me . he changed his life around and this is what happens . well he did his part and things happen but at least hes living his good lifee in heaven . well i will miss you and always will . :(

Laquashia, perry middle school

[Sabrina Antonelli]

David,
I remember the first time we met at an opening school year cook out in 2005 when you first started working at our school. You came up to me with that smile of yours and happily introduced yourself. From there we became friends. Over the past four we spent much time discussing how to help our students and about life in general. We got to know each other as colleagues and good friends. You made countless visits to my classroom and I knew I could always count on you to help out. Your passion, love, and care for the students are irreplaceable. Your positive attitude and kind and caring ways could brighten up any situation. You grew and accomplished so much in the four years I was lucky to have known you. You were a great man and a good friend. You touched so many lives and loved by all that had the pleasure of knowing you. You will be sourly missed. God bless you and your family. You will not be forgotten.

Sabrina Antonelli, 6th Grade Math, O H Perry Middle School

[julian inciarte]

R.I.P David i remember the first time we met you came to my school junction and rite off the back you told us that the streets isn't good for us then you told us your stories growing up and it touched all of us. you use to play ball with us and even help us with our homework you touch the lives of many kids and we will never forget you and the things you did for our community we love you dave -julian inciarte an old friend

[beatriz]

im so sorry 4 them and i love him i used to be good friends with him he rocked

[Gilberto Toro]

David, hemos perdido un soldado en esta lucha por la convivencia pacifica en las calles. Siempre te recordaré con esa energía, ánimo, sonrisa y entusiasmo que lograste transmitirnos a todos en el evento de Líderes del Presente en Guatemal. Mis respetos para Teddy y todo el equipo. Tu energía no se ha apagado al contrario ahora forma parte del universo eternamente. Desde Panamá Gilberto

[asly]

David cartagena was a are nice man. I did not know him so good I meet him because he went to my school and he talk about peace and how we can live in a good place that day i learned some thing for him and i am so thankful today.

[Tommy Thach]

Dear David,

It's been about four weeks now since you left and I truly miss you. You were more than a friend, more than a hero, more then a brother, you were more of a angel. Someone who cares and loves people for who they are. Its hard without you. Everybody misses you. We wish your family the best. God bless you and your family. R.I.P David J. Cartagena. We miss and love you.

Perry Middle School: Tommy Thach

[Amber kinnecom]

i started out as a kid who didnt care but when i met david he was like the one person who was my guardian. he spent so much time with me teaching me there was alot to life. He made me who i am today. And what i think motivated me the most was he was once a kid from the hood like us and still made something of him self and proved that jail was not the only option left.So i thank him so much for what he did and i will always miss him.And if he was today he would be proud because he said he will see me in high school and i lived up to that promise to him and im keepin it. R.I.P i will never forget you you were the best and without you its a complete different life for me inm sorry.