Voice Buffalo fights gun violence in East Buffalo with summer program

BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Voice Buffalo is taking steps to combat gun violence on Buffalo’s East Side by reinstating its Midnight Basketball League summer program.

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Alia Williams is the youth and adult organizer for Voice Buffalo.

She tells 7 News reporter Yoselin Person that she grew up on Buffalo’s East Side and knows what it’s like to be exposed to gun violence.

“I have seen friends and family members lose their lives to gun violence, so I am very happy to have the privilege of working for an organization that can put on something like the Midnight Basketball League,” she says.

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The program aims to provide young people with security and employment.

The program for 14 to 25 year olds is not a new concept.

“It originated in the ’90s and is a proven, evidence-based method for reducing violence in areas like Buffalo,” she says. “There will also be educational workshops like financial literacy and healing circles.”

Neighbors and mentors in this community say something like this is needed.

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“I think it’s a good thing for the city. It will keep the kids busy and off the streets. And we really need more of this kind of thing around here,” says one resident.

The program takes place every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Resource Council of WNY.

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“We specifically chose the area around Cold Springs because, for those who don’t know, many young people have died there in recent years due to gun violence. One of them was in this park,” says Alia.

Others who attended summer programs while growing up on the East Side say it helped them become the young adults they are today.

Khalil Carr is one of them.

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He is the first young black film producer in Western New York and also the executive director of Buffalo Fashion Week.

“There are no resources for you, there is absolutely nothing. You basically have to work your way up from the ground up to really get what you need,” says Khalil. “I really think growing up here helped sharpen me and develop me into a successful person or the man that I am now.”

The Midnight Basketball League begins on July 18th.