CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Less than a week after a 16-year-old was shot and killed in Champaign, dozens of people gathered to stress the importance of resources for children and young adults.
On Wednesday, community coalition Walk As One met to share resources and discuss expanding programs throughout Champaign County.
"I'm tired of strategizing. We've been strategizing. I've been here for 18 years. We've strategized for 18 years. It's time for us to do something," said the Rev. Rickey Parks, pastor of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.
Community violence doesn't just affect crime statistics — it impacts families and neighborhoods. Shamya Davis said she has a personal connection to gun violence as a teenager and finds comfort in role models like her pastor.
"Recently, two of my friends have passed away due to gun violence, so he just helped me and prayed over me to keep me going," Davis said.
Walk As One hosted a panel directly asking young people what they need from the community. One panelist said children need more accessible resources.
"I know a lot of the issues at my school have to do with drugs, vapes and gangs. I think it's important to recognize the lack of community resources and community involvement," the youth panelist said.
While there are programs in Champaign that provide education and mentorship for children, Mayor Deshawn Williams said young men need more mentors to teach them how to cope with emotions in a constructive way instead of suppressing them.
"Oftentimes, we've been raised to believe that you can't cry. You've got to be strong. Youth is at the core of my heart, and specifically young Black and brown males, because we have to provide that safe space and outreach for them," Williams said.
Champaign Police Chief Timothy Tyler said mentorship programs and family support services play a critical role in preventing violence before it happens.
"We need to be in our youth's lives. We need to support parents as they raise their children, and that's the most important part. Life is hard, and everybody's story is not the same. We need to walk in their shoes and meet them where they are," Tyler said.
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