INDIANAPOLIS — The ongoing effort to reduce gun violence in our city took Indy Peacemakers to the east side Friday.
Members of the organization met with residents at Hawthorne Place near 32nd Street and Emerson Avenue.
Peacemakers handed out treats and cooked up barbecue while making connections with the community.
"Our ultimate goal is to reduce gun violence in Indianapolis, that's what we set out to do, that's what we're going to do," said Shardae Hoskins. "And we do that by empowering neighbors and addressing root causes. Violence is just a symptom. We gotta attack the real things, the root causes in our neighborhoods. It's more than popsicles. It's more than hot dogs. It's loving on folks and providing resources."
The Peacemakers are at the complex several times a week with food boxes and information on job opportunities and other resources.
Back in 2021, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the program as part of a multi-year to combat violence in Indianapolis.