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Blackwell Named to Governor’s StreetSafe Task Force

Blackwell Named to Governor’s StreetSafe Task
Force

September 21, 2009

Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina president Michael C. Blackwell has been named by Governor Beverly Perdue as a member of the new StreetSafe Task Force. Blackwell will serve on the task force alongside a group of 34 members that includes co-chairs Attorney General Roy Cooper and Department of Correction Secretary Alvin Keller.

StreetSafe will bring together faith-based organizations, non-profits, local and state government agencies, business leaders and members of the community to develop a plan to combat recidivism and reintegrate offenders safely into the community.

“By uniting the efforts of government, business and civic organizations, this task force will work to stop ex-offenders from committing new crimes,” Perdue said. “StreetSafe will give ex-offenders the support they need to successfully reenter society, which will make North Carolina safer for everyone.”

Blackwell is in his 27th year as President of Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, a non-profit child care organization headquartered in Thomasville that provides residential services throughout the state.

“Dr. Blackwell brings valuable perspective and experience to the task force,” Perdue said. “As a part of Baptist Children’s Homes’ statewide services, he oversees efforts to aid and educate at-risk children equipping them to be successful, productive members of society. His insights and contributions will be a welcome asset to StreetSafe.”

Blackwell accompanied the Governor to the press conference announcing the task force appointments on September 16.

“It is a high honor to be a part of the StreetSafe Task Force and to work shoulder to shoulder with this experienced and dedicated group,” Blackwell said. “I appreciate Governor Perdue for extending me this opportunity to serve our great state in this special capacity.”

In May, Governor Perdue signed Executive Order No. 12 creating the StreetSafe Task Force. The decision to create StreetSafe was made after extensive study and research revealed a need within the state to provide education and training to ex-offenders. Statistics show that 95% of North Carolina prisoners will return back to their communities and that 40% of them will be back behind bars within three years of their release.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to put systems into place to help ex-offenders lead positive, productive lifestyles once reintegrated into our communities,” Blackwell said. “In the process, we are not only redeeming lives, but creating safer neighborhoods and streets for North Carolina families.”

The first task force meeting takes place on October 8 in Raleigh.

Since 1885, Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina has helped children and families. BCH began with one campus, Mills Home in Thomasville, but now provides services in 14 communities across the state.

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