TOLEDO, Ohio — Dozens gathered at Woodward High School on Saturday for the second town hall of the Mayor's Initiative to reduce gun violence.
Unlike the first meeting back in April, this meeting included the youth, key voices who organizers say are needed to find solutions.
During a breakout session, organizers asked youth participants what they are seeing in the community around gun violence. One teen responded, "friends dying."
"We had kids that spoke highly of what they feel is needed," said Jojuan Armour, program manager for the initiative. "They spoke highly of what they're seeing, so we're empowering them to be part of the change."
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Armour stressed each event is set up to hear from every part of town.
"Coming to the north side, they'll have their own themes," said Armour. "Because what you see at Woodward and at the north may be different than what you see at the south and the east."
Melvin Jackson III founded the Dominion MVP Foundation, a local youth mentoring non-profit. The recent Bowling Green State University graduate says youth programming has to be a priority this summer.
"Young people want to be invested in and right now they don't feel like they're being invested in," said Jackson, "and that's ultimately what breeds gun violence and things along those lines."
Whiteboards with dozens of programs already operating or planned for this summer were on display. Armour agreed that kids need activities like sports and the arts that engage them and their talents.
"Whatever a child wants to do to occupy and they feel they're passionate about, we want to encourage," he said.
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Armour says it's time to start listening to youth, adding the adults don't always know best.
"It's not about what we can tell you is best for you," he said. "It's about you telling us how we can best serve you."
The last town hall is Saturday May 21 at Waite High School.
Those who want to attend in-person must pre-register for the event and can do so by clicking here.
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