According to a study done in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Justice, a firearm was involved in two-thirds of all youth homicides (1). The number of children involved in gun violence is rising drastically. Ohio is one of ten states where firearm-related deaths among youths are highest (2), which is why in Youngstown, the community is joining together to put an end to this violence.
The CDC estimates that the cost of youth violence is nearly $100 billion annually. It also increases the risk for behavioral and mental health difficulties. These can include future violence perpetration and victimization, substance use, high-risk sexual behavior, academic difficulties and suicide (3).
At the Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown, youth asked staff members what they can do to help save their peers. They understand how prevalent the issue is and are tired of losing friends and loved ones. Because of their passion and dedication tobring change to their community, members of BGC Youngstown created “Gangs and Gun Violence - Give me the Gun.”
A collaboration with the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center, young people inside the center helped write and create a script based on real experiences, while youth at the B&GC helped bring the script to life. The video aims at creating awareness while also working to discredit assumptions that youth living within the community are violent.
This is a project that Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown is proud of and hopes continues conversations about how to reduce youth gun violence.
B&GC aims to inspire and empower young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens by providing after school programs. Boys & Girls Clubs provide positive mentors offering guidance, support and encouragement to stay focused on their goals.
These programs discourage youth crime by providing a supportive and safe environment during the hours when most juvenile crime occurs. According to a study, youth who attend the Boys & Girls Clubs at least once or twice a week reporteddecreased levels of aggression, decreased number of negative peers as friends, decreased number of times stopped by the police and lower likelihood of carrying a weapon (4).
To watch the full video click here
1 https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/publications/trends-in-youth-arrests.pdf
2 https://maps.everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Every-State-Fact-Sheet-2.0-042720-Ohio.pdf
3 https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/yv/yv-factsheet_2022.pdf
4 file:///Users/nikkicox/Desktop/Avoidance_Health_Risk_Behaviors_Summary.html