TOLEDO, Ohio — On October 6th, Universal New Beginnings held a fun filled day with games, a bounce house, cotton candy, and basketball.
Gun violence has been a problem in neighborhoods all across Toledo and local groups like Universal New Beginnings are working to provide a positive environment to keep kids out of trouble.
This year marks the third year in a row they've held a youth Fun day and outreach.
Jessica Smith is a parent and Youth Pastor at Universal New Beginnings. She is using her experience as a youth pastor to help guide today's young men and women.
"In this community, specifically, we are concerned about the increase of violence in this neighborhood. "We want to sponsor an event that would draw the youth together in this community for a positive cause,” said Smith, Parent and Youth Pastor, Universal New Beginnings.
It's all part of Smith's work at the Universal New Beginning focusing on young people in the neighborhood
helping them with life.
"So having them come here today for an event like this, they get to know each other and then you get to know who's in their neighborhood and know that they have a church in this neighborhood that is willing to support,” said Smith.
She says sometimes kids fall into a life of negativity.
But through the mentorship at Universal New Beginnings people like 17-year-old Bryce Virgin say they have a better chance at a well-balanced life.
"The church has helped me keep me off the streets. They like keep me into it, make me stay level-headed," said Virgin. "This just keeps all the kids together. We all just build a bond together, were like family.”
Parents like Elder Lorenzo Diaz, who is a father of four, says the results of providing kids a space to gather is priceless.
"I just feel good that we are able to bring the youth together where they can let their guards down and just have fun like normal kids these days,” said Diaz.
Both Smith and Diaz say it's a pleasant feeling that they are able to help hundreds of young people in the community.
"I think that it's very well and stuff like that. But, you know, these after school programs are definitely stepping up now here in Toledo, Ohio, where we can go ahead and move forward with the youth,” said Diaz.
Smith agrees.
"Again we wanted them to come together and have a good time. It feels good to know that they can come and be children, you know, have cotton candy, play tug of war, throw a pie in the face of a parent. That's what it's all about, Children being Children,” said Smith.
The group plans on having events like the one on Sunday in the future.