City Manager Ken Larking today announced that Robert David Sr., a juvenile court counselor in Rockingham, N.C., has been selected as the City’s first youth and gang violence prevention coordinator.
David, who also serves as a life and recovery coach and motivational speaker and has been a drug-free Mr. Universe body builder and four-time world champion power lifter, will assume his new duties in Danville on Monday, June 11.
“As coordinator, Robert will be the point person in our efforts to implement a gang violence prevention program,” Larking said. “Robert not only has the necessary training and experience, but he has a passion for empowering youth and, as a result, improving communities.”
Danville has adopted the comprehensive gang violence prevention model by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the National Gang Center. Under this model, multiple agencies partner in activities and programs to engage youth and high-risk, gang-involved populations. The agencies include community services, courts, government, law enforcement, non-profits, schools and social services as well as faith-based and grassroots groups.
David was selected through a national recruitment. He has served as a juvenile court counselor with the N.C. Department of Public Safety in Rockingham, N.C., since April 2009.
In September 2016, he formed David Management LLC to provide life coaching, recovery coaching and motivational speaking as well as consultant services on at-risk youth. He also has authored a book for teens and young adults to assist in recovering from lifestyle setbacks. "Stand up and Breathe, 4 Steps to Recover From Failure" provides a simple, but strategic process for youth to move forward from past mistakes.
Prior to joining the N.C. Department of Public Safety as a juvenile court counselor, David was a community gang liaison for four years with Greater Deliverance and a probation/parole officer for nearly five years in Rockingham, during which he was co-founder of the Richmond County Gang Task Force.
He also has served as a probation officer in California.
“While living in California and working as a probation officer, I often volunteered at the local alternative school, and I saw how bright, personable young men were used as pawns to advance the gang agenda,” David said. “Since that time, I have made it a personal mission to help communities provide services for youth who desire to change their life.
“My philosophy is that everyone has a purpose. They key is to find the right avenue to direct that purpose. Gang members have purpose, but unfortunately it is being directed in the wrong avenue and misused.”
David holds master’s degrees in professional counseling and addiction specialist from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. He also is certified as a master life coach by Grand Canyon University. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C.