SEATTLE — It's been just over one year since five people were hurt in a shooting at a community outreach event outside of a Rainier Beach Safeway. The event was held by SouthEast Network SafetyNet Program with the Boys and Girls Club of King County.
That same program has continued to work to prevent gun violence in the neighborhood.
"A lot of people have died prematurely before they could even accomplish their dreams," said Amir Tedesse, a participant in the program.
Tedesse, now a student at Seattle University, sat down with his friend Jazzmin Barrett to discuss a difficult topic: how gun violence has impacted them and their community.
"I'm consistently thinking about the people that I've lost and the people that I can lose," Barrett said.
Not even two months ago, Barrett lost someone incredibly close to her.
"Amarr A Shawn Murphy-Paine, say his name loud and proud. He was my significant other," Barrett shared as she held a necklace made in his honor with a photo from their Homecoming dance together.
Murphy-Paine was shot and killed at Garfield High School in June. he was attempting to break up a fight when shots rang out. He was part of the same programs Jazminn Barrett and Amir Tedesse also participate in with the Boys and Girls Club of King County.
Programs inside the club called SouthEast Network and Youthforce have continued to help youth learn life skills, stay out of trouble and promote peace and mental wellness.
"We've lost a number of young people to gun violence just this year," said Marty Jackson, SE Network SafetyNet's Executive Director.
Both Marty Jackson with SouthEast Network and Sigrid Vitara with YouthForce are actively working to change lives for the better.
"I think that you can't do this work without caring," Vitara said.
They are committed to making a difference.
"No matter how discouraging it may be, we still have to stay committed, you know, to this field of work, because who else is going to do it?" Jackson said.
Watch the full interview with Jackson and Vitara here:
Recently, YouthForce interns like Marquiese Garrett went to Washington D.C. to present their project to reduce and prevent gun violence.
"We're trying to equip and give the students those tools to make what they need. Like actually come true," Barrett said.
Garrett is one of the youth interns with YouthForce. He is spearheading a project to save more lives in case a tragedy strikes. He said the programs he participates in at the Boys and Girls Club have made a very positive impact on his life.
"A lot of people look at violence as a problem. I look at violence as a sign, you know, a sign of a need not being met. The fact that a lot of people resort to violence in the first place shows a need of care, or their emotions not being understood, or a parent not being emotionally intelligent enough or available enough to actually care and teach their child how to understand and heal those feelings. So I feel like as the Boys and Girls Club, the fact that we have trusted adults, we have people put in place like we even have a therapy room where they could talk to a licensed therapist and learn and actually heal. I feel like that's a very important thing," Garrett shared.
The youth who spoke openly about their experience hope that they never have to attend another funeral for their friend, their partner, or classmate ever again.
"We need each other. We deserve each other. And we should come together always," Barrett said.