MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Gun violence is a top concern for many people in Montgomery.

A community advocate who lost two family members to gun violence is working with local churches to bridge the gap between church and youth.

Preachers, community members and lawmakers from across the river region gathered for a roundtable discussion Friday to discuss how best to address the issue.

Community members at this roundtable agreed that their next step in addressing gun violence in Montgomery is to reach out to young people.

After Shanta Penick lost her brother and son to gun violence in the same month, she turned her pain into strength by reaching out to influential members of the community and bringing those people together to create a plan of action.

“I feel like there is a planned action to go outside the four walls of the church house because we are the church as a people,” Penick said.

Their action plan includes partnering with schools to create mentoring programs and build trust between youth, churches and the community.

There is no timetable for when these plans will take place. Right now, things are just in the planning phase.

Each church leader plans to take the night’s suggestions back to their congregations for feedback.

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