WS Chronicle

BY TEVIN STINSON 

THE CHRONICLE

For more than a decade, Dave Moore has helped those in need of a second chance find their way, through various mentoring programs offered at his auto body shop, Southside Rides.

Located at 2221 Hope St., Soutside Rides serves youth entering the court system. Throughout the year young men and women work in the shop to gain community service hours mandated by the court. The program also offers substance abuse services for the youth and other activities to keep them focused.

Now, Moore is looking to take the next step and help at-risk youth get into college. At the same time he is honoring one of the city’s most well known advocates for equity in the education system and across the state: the late Earline Parmon.

Although still in the planning stages, the Earline Parmon & Dave Moore Scholarship Fund will provide funds for young boys and girls in the area who have aspirations of going to college but have a criminal history or don’t have the resources to do so.

Moore, who was born in Winston-Salem, said he always looked to Parmon for advice. He mentioned that when he was in prison before opening the shop in 2004, Parmon would accept calls and offer him words of encouragement.

“Just like so many others in this community, she was my mentor,” said Moore. “Even though she was busy, she would take the time and talk to me. That was the type of person she was. Always willing to help those in need.”

As he sat in front of her picture posted on the wall inside the shop, Moore said, “Parmon played a major role in this becoming a reality.

“I told her I wanted to open a auto body shop while I was in prison, and she supported me all the way,” he said. “There aren’t many people like her around. She was a real asset to this city.”

The city was shaken to its core earlier this year when the former N.C. lawmaker passed away following a brief illness.  While she is mostly known for her stint on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and for representing the 72nd District in the N.C. House of Representatives, Parmon was also a champion for education. Before exploding onto the political scene, Parmon founded the now defunct LIFT Academy, a charter school that is credited with graduating youth who had been written off by the public school system.

Just days before passing, Parmon was with Moore working out the logistics for the scholarship program. As he reminisced on the good times he spent with his mentor, Moore said he can still hear her voice.

“I can hear her now: ‘Dave you better not forget me,’” he laughed. “That’s what this is all about, making sure her legacy is never forgotten. That’s why I put her name first.”

“Although she wore many hats and did a lot of different things, more than anything she cared about the well-being of the youth in this community. I want to make sure that lives on forever.”

For more information on the Earline Parmon & Dave Moore Scholarship, contact Dave Moore by phone at 336-995-2809.