MILWAUKEE – So many people in our city are committed to ending gun violence, and it’s not just local authorities working to end it, but also some of our neighbors. A mom from Milwaukee brought the community together on a beautiful afternoon.

“I wish we could all come together and end the violence,” said Earma Jordan, organizer.

At Johnson’s Park, near 20th and Fond du Lac, Sunday smiles matched the sunny skies.

“I just give back to the community,” Jordan said.

Jordan was inspired to create a space where families feel safe, urging the community to end the violence.

“Kids can’t come here and play without worrying about being shot, hearing gunshots and just letting other parents know that kids here are doing violent stuff, talking to them because they have to. hear it from home first, ”says Jordan.

The event brought together dozens of people to enjoy food, music, face painting and time in the great outdoors.

“It was good because we had a lot of support, and they were cheering us on as we danced,” said Lauren with the Ladies of Destruction dance team.

Two local dance teams performed, giving the young people a place to channel their energy into something creative.

“I love the team because it’s like building a family,” said Janiyla, a member of the Royal Heat Dance Team. “This is my second family.”

Cortez Ross knows what it’s like to lose your family. Her brother was killed in 2015.

“For me it’s terrible,” Ross said. “Personally, it affected me here. I lost a brother to gun violence.”

With events like this, he said he felt a sense of hope for his own children and for the city.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “I love to see the kids come together and finally play and feel safe. It reminds you of when you were a kid because we played outside and felt safe.”

Jordan said it plans to continue hosting this event every year, along with other outreach efforts.

If you or your family has been affected by gun violence, available resources include City of Milwaukee Violence Prevention Efforts, 414Life, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Resources, and Safe and Sound.