Community groups reach out to youth in effort to combat violence

Community groups reach out to youth to put an end to violence

Community groups reach out to youth to put an end to violence

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- After a violent weekend, Milwaukee police were busy again Monday night into Tuesday -- responding to four separate shooting incidents. City leaders on Monday held a news conference, calling for an end to the bloodshed. Meanwhile, those who live in the areas where the recent shootings have occurred say change may need to start from within the community.

The first shooting was reported around 7:30 p.m. Monday. Police say a man was shot in the chest near 25th and Concordia.

Two hours later, a man was shot in the arm near Hopkins and Locust.

Minutes later, a 17-year-old was shot near Bonny Place and Sherman.

Around midnight, a 37-year-old man was shot in the leg on 53rd Street -- between Hadley and Locust.

All for shootings were non-fatal.

Some are now looking toward grassroots efforts, and say it's vital to penetrate the criminal element with positivity and options.

Twanda Franklin is the co-pastor at Calvary International Worship Centre, and is working to stop the violence in any way she can.

"If we can reach one person, we can be effective," Franklin said.

One of Franklin's church members lost their godson to a fatal shooting over the weekend.

Now, Franklin is hitting the streets with more than just a faith-based message.

"A program going, maybe they can talk about the pain and where this hurt is coming from and why so much violence," Franklin said.

James Ferguson with Career Youth Development says violence is having a heavy impact and driving a wedge into the community.

"A lot of people are living in fear. We've been hearing a lot of pressure from people in the community on organizations like CYD to stand up and take a more aggressive approach towards stamping out violence in our communities," Ferguson said.

The CYD's goal is to help build character, offer opportunities and options and a different way of life.

"Culture is really the villain here so we really try to counter that culture of violence that our kids are learning at a very early age," Ferguson said.

Recently, the group, along with Pastors United collaborated to create the Conflict Resolution Center.

"One of our goals is to arm them with the tools to resolve the conflict," Ferguson said.

Young people like Donovan Harris are a testament to the transformation.

"We work with the kids and with youth. If the kids see older kids working together, it sets an example," Harris said.

They're already starting to see a change in the next generation. They say the promising efforts are working, but change is needed on a bigger scale.

"We;re the mentors for them, but ultimately the change we want to see has to come from them. It has to come out of them," Ferguson said.

Overall, Ferguson says he's seeing the community rise up and participate more because they don't want their neighborhoods decimated by violence.