Foundation One Promotes Peace Amid Violence

   The city of Fort Wayne is coming to grips with the aftermath of a violent week.

   As FOX Fort Wayne was first to report four days ago, police believe a string of recent shootings are signs of rising gang violence.

   But amid the violence, one man has made it his mission to promote peace.

   Foundation One was once headed down a destructive path, but he turned around. Now, he's trying to help others do the same.

   Some people describe Foundation One as a fixture in Fort Wayne's inner city. He works at Unity Barbershop on Pontiac Street where he interacts with many young people. Some of them are in gangs.

   “[They] don’t know what to do next,” said Foundation. [They] want an answer, want a way out, want to do better, want to stop.”

   Gang violence has rocked southeast Fort Wayne recently. Four shootings have left two people dead and three wounded.

   Foundation One knows some of those involved. For them, he says, leaving a gang is not easy.

   “A lot of times, this is all that makes sense to them,” said Foundation. “Going to job, having a family, going to school, don't make sense until somebody introduces them to that and then they're strong enough to accept that.”

   Foundation knows firsthand. His life was once on a dangerous road.

   “[I was] selling dope, robbing, breaking in to people's houses,” said Foundation.

   He ended up getting shot. But after his recovery, Foundation found a mentor and a path that led him to become a barber.

   “It wasn't until a guy named Roger Miller, he believed in me, he taught me, he taught me his craft,” said Foundation. “I know through his teaching me that, it was able to stabilize me.”

   Foundation’s mission is to offer the same help.

   “Just be who I am, you know, cause I was once on that path,” said Foundation. “Just gotta continue to be who I am.”

   He must because the alternative is not a happy one.

   “I know both sides of the family in the gangs right now are mourning, are going through all type of emotional tragedy right now,” said Foundation.

   A new YMCA on Fort Wayne's southeast side opened this week. Foundation One says that will be a positive influence in the area, one that will hopefully push youth toward productive activities and a path of achievement.