Milwaukee youth visit funeral home amid growing number of gun violence deaths

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wednesday, July 12, a sobering reminder for some Milwaukee youth that gun violence can affect us all.

The message took place at an area funeral home, showing kids a blunt reality.

High school kids with Marquette University's Educational Opportunity Program filed into Northwest Funeral Chapel on the city's north side for a message that was real, impactful and compelling.

"Raise your hand if you know someone under the age of 21 who lost their life to violence," said Spoken Word artist Muhibb Dyer.

The kids sat, and would eventually walk in front of, an open casket with a mirror inside, symbolizing what could happen if violence were to strike.

"It may be triggering for some people and if you need to walk out that’s okay," said one leader with EOP.

The kids also heard from beloved Milwaukee Pastor Lovelace Redmond.

"It's going to take more than just the ministers, and the pastors in town, it's going to take things like this to happen," said Pastor Redmond.

Pastor Redmond has presided over Milwaukee funerals for decades.

The Pastor went on to say over the past years, more mothers and fathers are burying their children.

"It is a problem, it's a big problem, because we are losing more young people now than ever before."

The service hitting close to some like 16-year-old Amere Watson.

"I know what it feels like to lose someone to violence."

Watson recently lost her mother due to domestic violence.

She said she hopes her peers take Wednesday's message to heart.

"I just want them to know, like it's all fun and games until you're in a situation where you're losing your life., it's all heheh's and haha's and laughter until your friends are in that situation or you're face-to-face with death."

This was the first time Marquette University's Educational Opportunity Program has integrated this funeral trip into their seven-week agenda.

For more information on EOP, click the link here.