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He has a name: Yishawn (“YaYa”) Robinson

From Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT):

Yesterday we heard the tragic and horrifying news that a CHAT student, Yishawn (“YaYa”) Robinson, was murdered late Sunday night here in the East End. At this time, the investigation is still ongoing, so there are few details we can share about his death. But there are so many details that could be shared about his life.

YaYa connected with CHAT through our Friday night youth group last year, and then joined the Phantoms basketball team. Even when there were challenges and opportunities for growth, YaYa showed his commitment to improvement. On the court, his impact as starting point guard was immediate as the Phantoms won 6 of their last 7 games. Academically, he started this school year even stronger, excelling in many subjects.

Off the court, YaYa’s leadership, humor, and hopefulness were an encouragement to everyone around him. Even after tough losses, and amidst the hardships that all our students face growing up in poverty, he kept his teammates laughing and persevering. He talked often about moving out of public housing and realizing his dreams. In addition to CHAT, he had been involved with our partners at Grace & Peace Community Ministries

YaYa’s death hits us hard, and is yet another painful reminder of the trauma and brokenness that so many of our students face on a daily basis. The season of Advent is a season of waiting and longing in the midst of darkness – longing for all things to be made right, and for God’s kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven. But this waiting and longing isn’t passive. As we lament and mourn Yishawn’s passing, all of us here at CHAT remain committed to seeing every student we serve as Image-Bearers of God, worthy of all the dignity and investment we can offer – and more. We’re so grateful for everyone who’s joined us in this work, and ask for your continued prayer and partnership as we work towards a day when no students’ life will be cut short by violence.

For more info, you can see more from our friend Gretchen Ross at ABC 8News – WRIC

The Original Post

8 comments

Stephanie Mitchell 12/06/2018 at 2:16 PM

This is so incredibly tragic. My heart goes out to all his family and friends.

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Emily Klinedinst 12/06/2018 at 2:35 PM

How horrible

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Kirsten Gray 12/06/2018 at 4:21 PM

So horrible and tragic.

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SA Chaplin 12/06/2018 at 6:43 PM

Thank you, Gustavo, for putting a human face on this tragedy. Otherwise, many would simply view this as “just another shooting in the projects.”

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Hill Guy 12/06/2018 at 7:49 PM

Beautifully written. Thank you.

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Mr. Neal 12/07/2018 at 7:52 AM

Yes. Thank you for adding a face to his name. Bless his soul and prayers to the family.

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Ms. Wait 12/07/2018 at 10:11 PM

I taught YaYa two years ago when he was still at Armstrong and his death has greatly affected both the students and teachers. Reading about all the progress he’d made since I last saw him only makes his death that much more tragic. If there will be any public memorial services please share them here as well. Thank you.

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Jasir H. Khabir 12/10/2018 at 5:41 PM

Tragic!
My condolences to his family
YaYa worked in our Job program a few years ago. He possessed the material to make something of himself. It is too bad, his life was taken before he was able to reach his goals.

Coach J

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