A grassroots movement based in Bermuda’s gang heartland has won an award for its efforts to help rebuild a community torn apart by violence.One Community Unified a collaboration of churches, police and other organisations in east Pembroke was presented with the CableVision community service award for the first quarter of 2011 at a banquet at the Fairmont Southampton on Saturday evening. The Rev Nick Dill, priest in charge of the Anglican Parish of Pembroke, told The Royal Gazette he was surprised but pleased by the accolade, which includes a $5,000 donation from CableVision.The movement was set up a couple of years ago to promote community unity in east Pembroke and has been holding meetings there ever since but its efforts have intensified since the wave of gun violence which began in May 2009.Mr Dill said the fatal shooting of Kumi Harford in December 2009 gave those involved fresh impetus to try to solve some of the social problems in the area. But he admitted that had not proved easy due to gang tensions.“We have a presence on both sides of the hill: St Monica’s and St Augustine’s cover [the] Parkside and 42nd [territories]. We thought our aim was to bring everyone together on a neutral territory. We realised that might not be the best tactic.”He said after speaking with the family of January 2010 murder victim Perry Puckerin and others it became clear that a different focus might be needed.“What the Puckerins and others have said is ‘don’t try to bring us together. We want to rebuild our own communities first.’”Mr Dill said dialogue with locals led to a weekly Friday movie night for youngsters at St Monica’s Church but it proved so popular it has had to be temporarily stopped.“It’s grown into something unmanageable; it’s stopped for the moment because it became unwieldy. It was just lots of kids and lots of energy but too few volunteers. We really wanted to have a safe place for kids from the neighbourhood to come.”He said One Community Unified had suffered other stumbling blocks, including having to shelve a project aimed at gathering information about at-risk seniors because the safety of canvassers could not be guaranteed.Likewise, efforts to set up Neighbourhood Watch schemes failed. “People don’t want to ‘fess up on their neighbours here,” said Mr Dill.He added: “There has been a lot of frustrations along the way but it’s been a fascinating insight. I think the misperception is that there is nothing happening [to help rebuild the east Pembroke community].“What I have observed is that there is a lot happening. What’s really needed is a coming together and a pooling of resources.”As well as some 13 churches, others involved with One Community Unified include Boulevard Sports Club; anti-gang group CARTEL; Bermuda Police Service’s central parishes community action team; Imagine Bermuda; North Village Community Trust; North Village Community Sports Club; Pembroke Parish Council; the Salvation Army; and Pembroke East Central MP and Minister without Portfolio Michael Weeks.Premier Paula Cox and Governor Sir Richard Gozney attended Saturday’s Salute to Service banquet, along with several Cabinet Ministers. Ms Cox said One Community Unified had demonstrated leadership and shown a commitment to tackling tough issues.The ceremony also saw Anthony Peets presented with CableVision’s annual Rollin Nathan Community Award for his volunteer work with children. Mr Peets, who won a $1,000 prize, volunteers for Bermuda Autism Support and Education, serves as an elder at Warwick Seventh Day Adventist Church and teaches at St John’s Pre-School.