Neighborhood House Teens to Lead Gun Violence Summit

Teens from Neighborhood House of Milwaukee will host LET MY CHILDREN GROW: Youth Summit on Gun Violence, on Thursday, February 25th, 2016 from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Neighborhood House. The event features guest speakers including gun violence survivors and witnesses, law enforcement officers from District 3, and performances by teens reflecting on their concerns.

Neighborhood House, a community center on Milwaukee’s near west side that serves over 300 youth a year, is offering this youth-organized anti-violence summit in the wake of recent tragedies, including the shooting deaths of 18 year old Joshua Words in December 2015, and 48 year old Jay Ro in June 2015. Words participated in Neighborhood House youth and summer employment programs and Ro studied English at International Learning Center, a Neighborhood House program for refugees.

“Young people come to Neighborhood House for basketball or after-school activities, but it’s not only about recreation,” says Neighborhood House Teen Program Supervisor James Austin. “We also say, ‘Let’s have a conversation and let’s deal with things.'”

“Community engagement is a way forward in this time of increased gun violence,” says NeighborhoodHouseExecutiveDirectorJeffMartinka. “We’reproudthatNeighborhood House teens are working with neighbors and local leaders to create opportunities for real dialogue in our city.”

For more information, call Neighborhood House Teen Program Supervisor James Austin at (414)933-6161 ext.137, jaustin@nh-milw.org(JamesAustin’s story One Man’s Mission to Keep His Son Safe on Precious Lives was picked up by NPR)