NextGen Fort Dodge is a grassroots organization led by several individuals who work with local at-risk youth in many capacities — juvenile court services, probation, schools, Department of Human Services.

Paige Williams, a probation officer who used to work as a student support specialist at the Fort Dodge Community School District, was moved to take action after learning about the May 2, 2023, shooting death of 18-year-old Patrick Walker, a former student of hers.

“It’s a bunch of people worried about our children and the future of our kids,” said Nikkie Summers, behavioral specialist with the FDCSD, and member of NextGen.

“Everyone at our table has their own kids and it’s super important to us because this is the environment our kids are going to grow up in,” Williams added.

-Messenger file photo
Cecilia Naeve, 4; Willie Williams Sr. and Wilder Williams, 2, make a new four-legged friend at the NextGen Back to School Bash on Aug. 20, 2023, at Oleson Park.

Williams began to reach out to other probation officers and school employees to see what they could come up with together.

“We all know how we got here,” said Valerie Newsome, juvenile court liaison at Fort Dodge Middle School. “It’s about how we move forward.”

“We’re here to bring solutions to the table, not to elaborate on further problems,” said Assistant Webster County Attorney Bailey Taylor.

Taylor works with many of the other people involved in NextGen as she is the main county prosecutor for juvenile and family court cases.

As a community-led group, NextGen invited the community to a brainstorming session in June to share ideas for solutions and ways to help steer kids away from violence.

Community members discussed ideas for mentorship programs like expanding and supporting existing programs like the BRIDGES mentoring program in the Fort Dodge public schools, or mentoring programs at Athletics For Education and Success.

“We all need mentors, and kids aren’t any different,” said local attorney and BRIDGES mentor Janece Valentine.

Andrea Jondle-Howard, a mother and professional at Community and Family Resources, said that the community needs to engage with at-risk youth to help steer them away from making bad decisions. She also said the community needs to speak up when they see something wrong.

“When are we going to replace ‘snitch’ with ‘accountability’?” she asked.

“I don’t have answers, but I want to be part of the solution,” said Kati Swanson, a human services professional in Fort Dodge.

During the brainstorming session, Taylor said that one of the biggest pieces of this puzzle is the need for funding. “Ultimately in order for us to get any sort of programming and outreach, we’re going to need to donate our time and we’re also going to need monetary donations,” she said.

During one of the group’s first meetings, the members discussed the organization’s goals and established a mission statement — “Developing positive solutions to empower the next generation.”

“We’ve got to put a break in that cycle [of violence], the circle has to stop,” said Chriss Crooks-Rocha, a member of the group.

“Bottom line,” Newsome said, “is our kids are not coming home.”

The group’s goal is to dig deeper into what a specific group of kids needs to help pull them away from a violent or non-constructive lifestyle, Taylor said. They already have some ideas on tangible ways they can engage kids and families to try to make those connections.

Over the summer, NextGen hosted a community barbecue and a back-to-school bash event at Oleson Park. In December, the group held its first fundraising event to support the organization and its goal of creating a mentoring program for youth.