DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - With recent spouts of youth violence in Decatur, one organization is doing all that it can to support young people in Decatur.
At the Shemilah Outreach Center Shemuel Sanders is working around the clock to provide youth a safe space to learn and hangout.
"I want to keep kids busy and give them a safe haven."
The organization started in July 2020 with a dozen kids. It's now grown to more than 150. Sanders said they are outgrowing their space.
"We have 65 to 70 that come throughout the summer," he said. "Our building is not really big, so we have to turn some away."
Throughout the summer kids Kindergarten through age 24 meet at the Shemilah Outreach to participate in work projects, service projects, learning programs, and even outings to the zoo and Splash Cove.
The outreach was created in memory of Sander's daughter, Shemilah. She died in 2020 from a shooting. Sanders said he created this space has a safe haven to prevent youth violence.
"We want to make a difference one youth at a time. It saddens my heart when we hear things that going on with these youth out here. So, I just think this is my calling to try to make a difference in these youths lives."
Sander said the community has been a big supporter of his dream to out the outreach center.
Recently he just wrote a book about his journey and about the outreach, click here to learn more about the book
