Peace and Unity in Liberty City
In the heart of Miami, Liberty City has long struggled with gun violence, poverty and crime, leaving residents grieving, fearful and unsure of where to turn.
Amid this, the Circle of Brotherhood, a local nonprofit, works to restore safety and unity. Guided by the principle of “black men solving our own community problems,” the organization runs hands-on programs to reduce crime, build trust and empower residents.
President of the Circle of Brotherhood Pastor Jeffrey Mack recalls: “There’s so much black-on-black crime in that one area. Almost every other day, there was a shooting or a killing. Mothers, sisters, aunts, brothers, uncles grieving over the senseless loss of a child at an early age.”
The Circle’s approach is personal. Members walk the streets, meet residents face-to-face and establish relationships built on consistency. “It took time for them to find out that we were consistent. How many different organizations come in the area? They may come when the violence happens, have a prayer vigil, then they leave. We stay. We show up,” Mack explains.
In 2019, the Circle adopted The Way to Happiness, distributing booklets through their Peacemakers team to help residents manage conflict and make positive choices. “Sometimes you can speak the truth, but when people see it in writing, then they can relate to it better. For some, they picked up on the third or fifth principle. For others, they picked up on the first one, because it was talking about themselves. Some picked up on the latter ones at the end. It gives light and hope because some—deep down the rabbit hole—have no one to give them that light,” Mack says.
The Circle partners with the Miami-Dade Police Department, providing cadets with street-level insights and ethical guidance from the book’s 21 precepts. “As a police officer, sometimes you don’t realize what a brother or sister has gone through on the streets, not knowing all of these things that go on in his life. This training helps them act with understanding rather than making situations worse,” Mack notes.
Beyond crime prevention, the Circle engages youth through sports, community events and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade. Members distribute booklets and offer mentorship, planting seeds of positive change.
“Sometimes you can speak the truth, but when people see it in writing, then they can relate to it better.”
Inside the Circle’s 58,000-square-foot headquarters, residents find a safe, welcoming environment. “Where we are, it’s a safe space where a person can come once they walk through the gates. They’ll experience that there’s something different about this place. It’s not like any other place. We’re here to help you, help you be a better you. But you’ve got to be willing to put it out there honestly in order for somebody to receive what you have to bring,” Mack says.
The Circle continues its mission one block, one family, one person at a time. “We’re still growing. The challenge is: if we don’t do it, who will? If you throw a pebble in the middle of a lake, no matter how vast the lake is, the ripple effect will touch every shore,” Mack reflects. “My goal on Earth is to bring happiness to others, and to watch the results of how people’s lives are changed by showing them a better way to live.”
Watch the full story on how Pastor Mack and the Circle of Brotherhood are changing Miami with The Way to Happiness at Scientology.TV/PastorMack.
RESTORE MORAL VALUES
The Way to Happiness Foundation International works to reverse the moral decay of society by restoring trust and honesty through widespread distribution of the 21 precepts. Donations support the production and distribution of The Way to Happiness booklet.
