Neighbors and strangers came together for the 10th year for the annual Peacefest. The event is put on by Better Family Life to counter violence in the city with a message of peace and love.
The goal is to help put those who may turn to the streets back on the road to success. But, events like this also give hope to those who have suffered a tremendous loss.
It was two years ago when Sharon Crossland's life changed forever.
"Walked through the garage door and my son was laying on the floor," she said.
It was the day she found her son Carl Tabb shot and killed inside her home. He died in March of 2015 at only 30-years-old.
"I can't sleep some nights. I can't sleep most nights," Crossland said.
Crossland said the loss is even more devastating because she's still living in the same house where her son's life was taken.
"I want to hear his voice. I want to see him run through the house again, but I can't because they took it."
Two years later, questions and pain still remain. But days like Saturday have helped. Peacefest gives resources to young people, with the goal of breaking a cycle of violence. Crossland said it gives her hope.
"Letting them know all types of events young African American or black people that they can get into so they don't have to go to the streets," she said.
"We see so much violence going on because peace has lost its place," Better Family Life’s and the event’s organizer said.
Clark said the event strives to bring people together during a time when so many seem divided.
"We got to make peace the most important focus in our families neighborhoods and in our overall community."
How to do that is always the question. Crossland believes you have to get them while there young before it's too late.
"If you get them the resources that they need to have someone to talk to and learn how to communicate and work output their problems versus trying to handle everything out of anger with the resources that Better Family Life and other places provide I definitely think it makes a big difference,” Crossland said.
