ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition held First Annual Youth-led in Crisis Conference

Youth-led ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition first annual Youth in Crisis Conference

The ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition gathered dozens of Rochester youth, educators and community leaders on October 26, for its first annual Youth in Crisis Conference, a youth-led event aimed at curbing gun violence in Rochester.

“Youth in Rochester haven’t had enough opportunities to share their perspective or take leadership roles in our City’s fight to educate, advocate and eradicate gun violence,” said Councilmember Willie J. Lightfoot, who chairs the ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition. “We’re changing that, and starting a conversation specifically with City youth to see what they need us to do as leaders to ensure no child in Rochester has to live in fear of gun violence.”

Held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, the Youth in Crisis Conference featured a slate of speakers, raffles, vouchers for free services like haircuts, partnerships with City youth groups and a keynote speech from Shanterra Mitchum, Program Director of Teen Empowerment. The conference was organized by Councilmember Lightfoot and the ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition, and hosted by local comedian and photographer Christopher “GoodKnews” Cardwell.

The event was also backed by all nine members of City Council, underscoring a staunch and unwavering commitment to combating gun violence in Rochester.

“This Council stands behind the work of the ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition, and will continue to fight gun violence in our City through advocacy, education and policy,” said City Council President Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr., who also leads the ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition Advocacy Committee. “Events like the Youth in Crisis Conference are too rare in Rochester, and it’s time that we step up to focus on the ways we can create a Rochester of Safer Neighborhoods, Quality Housing and Equitable Access to Opportunity for our children.”

The ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition plans to expand this first annual conference into a yearly event, marking a new beginning in the fight to educate, advocate and eradicate gun violence in Rochester. For more information on the ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition, visit CityofRochester.Gov/ThinkAboutIt.