NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — As Hampton Roads grapples with violence impacting our youth, local advocates and groups are working to see changes in the community, especially as the summer months loom.
Chanda Coston and her mother launched the HEB Foundation after the 2018 shooting death of her brother, Raghib Brooks, in Newport News.
The program works with youth and people facing poverty and homelessness while helping to curb violence in the community.
"It's not something any family wants to go through," said Coston. "It changed us forever."
That's why their hearts are torn to see senseless violence impacting youth in Hampton, including a shooting in Portsmouth that killed a 10-year-old boy.
Right now, a 16-year-old boy faces murder charges for the shooting death of another 16-year-old in Virginia Beach.
"These kids are getting guns off the street, where it's portrayed to be the cool thing to have a gun, and they are not understanding the full repercussions of pulling the trigger," said Coston.
The pair believes more needs to be done to keep guns out of the hands of teenagers, and communities and organizations must work together to support parents and teach kids the consequences of gun violence.
"A lot of kids don't know," said Mary Jackson, Coston's mother and co-founder of the foundation. "They think it's a game. We have to show them reality, and it's important that they learn."
EFFORTS TO KEEP YOUTH ACTIVE IN SUMMER
With the summer months on the horizon, they said it's vital to keep tabs on children and give them something positive to do.
Starting June 1, The HEB Foundation will host a free basketball clinic in Hampton for kids ages 5 to 13 years old. It will take place at the Y.H. Thomas Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can register online.
In Portsmouth, there's a new opportunity for kids to attend summer camp for free.
Portsmouth City Council approved $115,000 to offer spots for the city's Summer Rays program at no cost.
From June to August, children ages 5 to 17 years old can enjoy sports, games and other activities. The funding covers 400 kids, which is the most the program can accommodate.
Councilman De'Andre Barnes proposed the idea and the rest of the council agreed unanimously.
Children must be registered and families who have already paid will receive refunds.
Also, in Portsmouth, Eugene Swinson's Big Homies program is partnering with the city's redevelopment and housing authority to offer summer youth programming.
"The biggest thing is they are going to be safe and not in these neighborhoods," said Swinson. "Let the police do their jobs and y'all not even out there."