GOLDSBORO, N.C. — In recent years, concerns about gang formation and violence have risen sharply in Goldsboro and the surrounding Wayne County. Local leaders and organizations are taking a closer look at how to address this complex issue that affects many of the community’s youth and families. Among those spearheading these efforts is Dr. Dave Tayloe Jr., pediatrician and longtime community advocate, who emphasizes the need for a coordinated, family-focused approach to prevention.

Understanding the Challenge

According to Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West, the current gang population in the area totals 406 individuals ranging from 13 to 56 years old. The demographic breakdown reveals that 365 are Black males, 20 White males, 19 Black females, and 2 Hispanic males. When asked whether these gang members were outsiders moving into Goldsboro, Chief West responded, “These are our kids,” underscoring that gang involvement is largely homegrown.

This troubling reality hits close to home for Dr. Tayloe Jr. and his colleagues at Goldsboro Pediatrics — the county’s only pediatric practice — who see these children and families regularly during well-child checkups. He notes that the issues leading to gang involvement often stem from poverty, unstable family environments, and lack of positive role models, factors that contribute to youth seeking belonging and support through gangs.

United Way of Wayne County: From Funding Programs to Fighting Poverty

Traditionally, the United Way of Wayne County has funded a variety of organizations, such as the Red Cross and Boys Club, but recent strategic discussions have shifted its focus toward tackling root causes like poverty. Dr. Tayloe Jr. explains that after seminars led by the National United Way, the local board decided it would be more effective to concentrate their roughly $800,000 annual funding on specific, high-impact problems rather than spreading resources thin.

“Gang violence and poverty are intertwined,” Dr. Tayloe Jr. says, “but the board chose to address poverty first, knowing it would indirectly reduce gang activity.” To gather community input, United Way Director Sherry Archibald convened two well-attended open forums — one at United Way’s new office near Truist Bank on Wheat Street, and another at the public library. These forums invited past and potential partner agencies to discuss community needs and funding priorities.

Community Partnerships Leading the Way

The collaborative effort to combat gang violence has taken shape under the banner of CARES for Wayne (Coalition for Advocacy, Resilience, Education, and Support). This coalition, led by the Partnership for Children of Wayne County (PFCW), includes numerous stakeholders: WAGES Head Start/Early Head Start, United Way, the Wayne County Health Department’s CMARC Program, the University of Mount Olive, Goldsboro Pediatrics, Communities Supporting Schools, the City of Goldsboro, Wayne County Public Schools, UNC Health Wayne, Trillium, Simmons Early Intervention Therapy, Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County, and the Wayne County Public Library.

CARES for Wayne evolved from a child abuse and neglect prevention initiative into a broader movement addressing the social determinants that contribute to gang formation and violence.

Prevention Through Family and Community Support

Dr. Tayloe Jr. emphasizes that prevention must start early and be family-centered. The coalition’s strategy includes:

• Parenting Education: Programs like Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), Incredible Years, Parents as Teachers, and Circle of Parents offer free resources and training to promote nonviolent, supportive parenting. Grant funding is being used to produce community videos encouraging nonviolent child-rearing.
• Reach Out and Read: At Goldsboro Pediatrics, providers give culturally appropriate books during well-child visits and encourage parents to build nurturing relationships through reading.
• Home Visiting: The Health Department’s CMARC program works with newborn nurseries to identify families who may benefit from early parenting support and provides home visits to at-risk mothers.
• Mentoring and Adult Role Models: Community leaders such as Octavius Murphy organize groups of local businessmen to mentor young Black boys in schools like North Drive Elementary. These mentors build trusting relationships and identify kids at risk of gang involvement, working to meet their material and emotional needs.
• Youth Engagement through the Arts: Communities Supporting Schools’ ArtXecute program introduces children and teens to creative outlets like art, music, dance, and theater, helping build self-esteem and positive peer connections outside gang culture.
• Law Enforcement Initiatives: The Goldsboro Police Department’s School Resource Officer program builds positive relationships with students and intervenes early with at-risk youth. The Gang Suppression Unit focuses on redirecting potentially violent youth and supporting community gang-prevention efforts.

The Road Ahead

Dr. Tayloe Jr. acknowledges that addressing gang violence will not be quick or easy, but he remains optimistic. “We have a tradition of collaboration here in Wayne County,” he says. “Our children face significant challenges, including low literacy rates — over half of fourth graders are not reading at grade level, which increases their risk of dropping out and joining gangs.”

With ongoing community forums, strategic funding decisions, and coordinated efforts from organizations large and small, Goldsboro is working to create an environment where children have hope, support, and opportunities beyond gang life.

“The whole community has to be involved — from pediatricians to pastors, police officers to educators, mentors to parents,” Dr. Tayloe Jr. concludes. “Together, we can offer a better path for our youth.”