“When we do this, we want to strike exactly where the problem is,” said Yadon Israel, a senior instructor with the Youth Conflict Resolution group.
HOUSTON — The Youth Conflict Resolution Group held a seminar in Houston’s Third Ward Saturday in an effort to curb violence in the city.
Saturday’s seminar focused on not just the consequences, but how to avoid those situations in the first place. It’s one message that resonates with many young kids.
“I just can’t believe it, it’s crazy…people getting killed and all the shootings, school shootings too, it’s just a lot,” said Maki Lewis.
Lewis, a ninth grader, said violence has never impacted him or his loved ones. But on Saturday, he heard from someone who did.
“17 years old, with 21 bullets in him,” said one man, who previously served prison time, about his nephew who was shot and killed.
“When we do this, we want to strike exactly where the problem is,” said Yadon Israel, a senior instructor with the Youth Conflict Resolution group.
It’s not just speakers at the seminar, but visuals are also used to show the impact violence can have on one’s life.
“We’re trying to show young men and women in the inner city they can resolve their issues outside of a gun, a knife, outside going to jail, going to prison or losing their lives finding themselves being able to actually fix the situation with a person,” Israel said.
The group said it offers religious-based solutions to those problems.
Houston City Councilman Edward Pollard, who spoke at the seminar, said leaders from all backgrounds should help in keeping kids out of the cycle of violence.
“It takes a village. Not just your own family, but people in the community, teachers, coaches and mentors to be able to speak their experience to the youth and why it’s important to have good behavior, why its so important to listen, to have self-value, self-esteem,” Councilman Pollard said.
Council member Letitia Plummer was also in attendance and spoke to the crowd.
Lewis said he finds value in hearing what adults are teaching the next generation.
“The seminar is important because of the youth violence, people getting killed and all of that,” Lewis said.
The seminar offered resources to families, including resources for families with a missing loved one.