GALLANT EFFORT IN THE EAST

May 2, 2006: Today The Rev. Dr. Jimmy S. Gallant, III, member of City Council, Chaplain to the Charleston Police, and ordained member of the Episcopal Diocese, told us how he came to be the founder of G.E.M. Inc. After 16 years on a national crusade to address the problem of gang violence he came to realize that the problem is universal not just something relative to Charleston. He found himself time and again serving as the minister at funerals of young people who had died violent deaths, and who had no church home from which to be buried. As he sought to heal the wounds he sought a vision to provide healing.

From this vision the midnight basketball league was born. It was not really about basketball, but about something that young people would like. Yet many fine athletes evolved form this program and it was the young people who pegged his movement as “GEM” – Gallant’s Evangelistic Ministries. The young people with whom he worked were totally involved in a very small world: home, school, and a few afterschool activities. Many had never in their lifetime been to the nearby Atlantic Ocean beaches. Thus, a trip to the Isle of Palms was a major event.

Dr. Gallant and his colleagues began to take the young people on trips, some local and some more distant. Every weekend they did something, year around. Sometimes the activity was to a nice restaurant where the young people learned about plates, forks and etiquette. An underlying theme has been to teach against violence, and counsel those who observe violent happenings. Included in the Gallant group are a dozen policemen and state troopers, both white and black.

The greatest killer of young people today is suicide, followed by death by shooting, and though not fatal, next in occurrence in their desperate lives is rape.

The young people being served by G.E.M. are not just from the east side. They come from all over Charleston. It is best to find those who are to profit from this association when they are about 8 years old. Anyone wishing to help can come to Calvary Episcopal Church on any weekend, or call 864-3636.

Reported by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee