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.

We invite you to join us as we say good-bye to our dear friend David Cartagena.

Calling Hours
Wednesday, June 3rd, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bell's Funeral Home
571 Broad Street
Providence, RI 02905

Funeral
Thursday, June 4th, 10 a.m.
Saint Michael the Archangel
239 Oxford Street
Providence, RI 02907 (next door to the Institute's old home)

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.