INDIANAPOLIS — Sitting in a large circle in a gym, members of New B.O.Y. met Wednesday night for their weekly Leaders Circle. The founder of New B.O.Y., Kareem Hines, said the space is a therapeutic and safe space for the boys to open up.
"We feel together. We reveal together and we heal together," said Hines.
Healing was the focus on Wednesday. This time, the group gathered around a young New B.O.Y member to support and pray over him, while he grieves for his brother, 17-year-old Deshawn Gilbert. Gilbert was shot and killed in a neighborhood near East 21st Street and North Cumberland Road on Halloween night.
"It was spiritual. I'm a Christian and I like doing and helping," said New B.O.Y member Dejuan George.
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Gilbert's mother also shared her grief with the boys and warned them to choose their friends wisely. It was something that didn't fall on deaf ears for some members.
"I learned you should know who you are around, and you shouldn't let your friends set you up. You should be able to be who you are instead of letting your friends make you be who you are," said George.
Hines said this is what it looks like when you listen to young people and empower them to use their voices.
"Because we have given them and spoken life into them, they feel confident to speak life into somebody else," said Hines.
Dealing with a traumatic loss like this can be hard for anyone, especially kids, but Hines hoped the love in the room will always be a reminder that they have someplace to go.
"We hope that our young people walk away today knowing that it's OK to grieve. It is OK to cry. It's OK to laugh. It's OK to be a part of a family. It' s not OK to go on social media to get revenge," said Hines.