After a gaggle of teenagers brought on chaos inside her restaurant, a south suburban enterprise owner posted a viral video pleading with parents – and her message led to a stunning response from the very parents she hoped to succeed in.
Dawndria Murray, the owner of a Culver’s in Matteson, stated the conduct had been constructing for months, however just lately reached a breaking level.
“They’re having food fights, they’re tearing up the bathrooms… they’re basically being disruptive,” Murray stated.
But when she took to social to clarify what was taking place, her message resonated.
What occurred
Murray stated massive teams of teenagers, typically arriving after college, would collect inside her restaurant alongside Cicero Avenue, creating disturbances for patrons and workers.
The points included:
- Food fights
- Teens strolling on tables
- Vandalized loos
- Loud, disruptive conduct
“I made the post because I have been trying to get the kids to behave at my restaurant,” she stated.
Frustrated, Murray posted surveillance video on social media — to not disgrace the kids, she stated, however to succeed in their parents.
“I just really wanted the parents to come together and help me with the kids,” she stated.
Murray stated the state of affairs was particularly tough given her private funding within the enterprise.
“I love my job. I put a lot of sweat and tears,” she stated.
She labored her approach up from supervisor to change into a franchise owner — and stated she has lengthy tried to assist native teenagers.
That included shopping for meals for youths who couldn’t afford meals, rewarding college students with good grades, making an attempt to attach them with tutors.
The state of affairs gained wider consideration after businessman and philanthropist Early Walker shared Murray’s story on social media.
“This is not an administration problem… this is a parent problem,” Walker stated. “There’s nothing town can do… The solely individual that may management these children are the parents.”
Parents respond
Following the posts, Murray stated one thing sudden occurred: parents started displaying up.
Some acknowledged their youngsters within the movies and got here to the restaurant to apologize — even providing to make amends.
“I know that parents are coming together… to have my back,” Murray stated.
They additionally started alerting different parents who had youngsters concerned within the incidents.
Parents and Murray additionally started documenting the apologies on social media.
“[Murray] told me a father came up there with his son by the collar — old school. He said he saw his son in the video and wanted to personally apologize. He also made it clear she would never have an issue with his son again,” Walker wrote to his followers, saying, “this is what accountability looks like.”
Village officers step in
Local leaders stated they’re working to forestall additional points.
“We made sure that we had connection with our schools… The parents are being proactive,” stated Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin.
Officials stated they’re working with colleges and households forward of the summer time months.
What’s subsequent
Walker is now organizing a present of assist for the enterprise.
He’s inviting the neighborhood to return out from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to assist the restaurant and its workers.
“We want to make sure that we’re showing her we’re behind her — not just telling her,” Walker stated.
