WATERLOO - David Goodson created the Talk Shop Cafe to be a place to empower others. He envisions the cafe as a venue for educational programming and positive, social activities put on by his nonprofit organization, Social Action Inc., and other like-minded groups.

"Our goal is to empower people - young people," Goodson said.

On Saturday, individuals who shared Goodson's vision gathered at the cafe at 1015 E. Fourth St. to remember their mission. The third annual banquet raised funds for Social Action Inc. Board members and other supporters also considered their own responsibility toward their community - and particularly Waterloo youth - during a speech by the Rev. Abraham Funchess Jr. Funchess also is division administrator of the Status of African Americans.

Funchess immediately addressed recent shootings in the community and acts of violence that led to untimely deaths, including that of 13-year-old Donnisha Hill. These incidents, and many before, contribute to a sense of widespread hopelessness and despair.

"I think deep down in our hearts we are reminded we haven't dealt with the problems of yesterday," Funchess said.

He added, "And many of our children are paying the price."

Drawing at times on the words of writer James Baldwin, author of "The Fire Next Time," Funchess identified boredom, immobility and stagnation as a threat to change. People shoot down ideas and vision with admonishments like, 'That's too radical,' or 'We tried that 10 years ago,' or 'We never did that before.'

"It's comments like this that bury an idea before considering its merits," Funchess said.

A religious life void of risk eliminates the need for faith, the pastor said. He called on fellow pastors and advocates for social change to reach out and engage youth.

"Because relationships indeed make a world of difference in the life of a child," Funchess said.

State Rep. Deborah Berry, a board member of Social Action Inc., had a practical application for Funchess' exhortations. She attended only part of Saturday's banquet in order to participate in an important milestone with her family: a relative's first birthday party. She encouraged her peers to make sure, in the quest to save the community's youth, that they not overlook a very important sphere of influence.

"Are we reaching the youth in our own lives?" Berry asked.

Future plans for Social Action Inc. and Talk Shop Cafe include holding financial literacy programs, fostering mentoring relationships and hosting positive, safe entertainment, particularly for young people, Goodson said.

Programs and activities are intended to encourage at-risk youth to give up gang violence and get back in school, said Bill Downs, board member and professor of social work at the University of Northern Iowa.

"So it's the educational piece and the social piece that we hope will come together," Downs said.

Funchess said Talk Shop Cafe, host to political events and youth forums, already is a center for community engagement.

"This is a hub of a lot of exciting events," Funchess said.