3rd annual Youth Victory over Violence Week kicks off

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The third annual youth Victory over Violence Week kicked off Tuesday at the Milwaukee Excellence Charter School.

A number of people gathered to talk all things anti-violence and how to have these conversations with today's youth.

It's a call to action from city leaders, violence prevention organizations and student ambassadors on an issue that continues to dominate our communities.

A number of leaders spoke about the importance of connecting with minors and engaging them in tough conversations about the impact of violence.

Students and parents also shared their heartfelt experiences and urged everyone to make it stop.

"I feel like kids my age, or even younger than me, are losing their lives just because of something that somebody said on social media or something that they heard that somebody else said," said Kalie Garrett, youth ambassador. "It be the littlest things that can turn into the biggest things. If we could come together as a community and work together and not against each other, then life could be so much better."

"Last summer I lost my son, Jamar Shaw, who's tragically taken in a senseless act of violence," said mother Katina Shaw. "The pain of losing a child is unimaginable, no parent should ever have to endure the pain and agony of burying their child."

She says we must break the cycle of violence for future generations.

A peace walk will take place this Saturday starting at the Black Holocaust Museum.