SAN DIEGO — Families who have lost loved ones to gun violence came together with former gang members for a 'Day of Remembrance' on Monday.
This special vigil was part of the 'No Shots Fired' program here in San Diego, which aims to reach out directly to local gang members to lay down their weapons and help turn their lives around.
"We need to remember the victims, and don't wait until it's your own," said Bevelynn Bravo, who lost her son Jaime nearly 12 years ago when he was only 21.
She came out to Monday's vigil. to share her story.
"It's not just a season, but we want peace everywhere in all communities," she said. "We're tired of burying our kids. Our kids are not supposed to die at the age at 14, 15, 18 , 21."
During this so-called 'Season of Peace' declared by the non-profit Shaphat Outreach, former gang members, many who served time behind bars, use their lived experiences to help today's gang members choose a new path.
"Where they are is where I have been," said one of them, "and where I have been is where they will be if they don't wake up!"
"I am capable of going to them and saying I've been there, I know how this ends, I know how this story ends, " said Bobby Wood, a former gang member who served time for his crimes.
He said his direct interaction with young gang members is for the most part showing positive results, pointing to last year's downward trend in gun violence locally.
"We want to constantly empower these young people, these youth, to know that they can do better, to know that no matter what your situation is now, you are going to have the opportunity to change it at some point in life," he told CBS 8.
"We really believe we're having an impact on this," added Bishop Cornelius Bowser. He said that along with law enforcement, the community needs to step up and become part of the solution.
"I encourage grand parents, great-grandparents, parents, mothers and fathers, uncles sand aunties and brother and sisters, and friends and neighbors - everybody should be having these conversations," Bowser added, "because when we all get involved, we all engage, it does help."
For more information on the No Shots Fired program and Shaphat Outreach, click here.
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