In response to the senseless violence and killing of Xavier Joy and many others, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is calling for greater commitment to violence prevention, community outreach and youth programs.

Xavier Joy, was a former football player at Morehouse College and had worked as a special education classroom assistant in the Chicago Public Schools. Committed to his community, Joy left school and returned to Chicago to work with underprivileged children. His family believes he was gunned down after being robbed for his cellphone.

“Violence has become the language of despair and economic strife,” said Hunter. “We must change that language by creating opportunities for our children. Parents need to be more involved in their children’s lives. We must fight together to stop erratic and violent behaviors in children early on.”

This past weekend, two teenaged boys were shot and wounded at 31st Street Beach on Sunday. According to police, the teens were at the beach when they got into a fight with another person when he or she took out a gun and fired shots.

“This has got to stop; the continuous acts of violence are absolutely disheartening and enraging.” said Hunter. “My heart aches for the families that lose loved ones to gun violence. I’m calling for unity among all. I encourage the community, local leaders and law enforcement to unite to cultivate new alternatives to violence. We must have peace in our communities.”

Senator Hunter has been a long-time advocate for after school programs and youth employment. She works to protect the youth by giving them the programs they need to stay off the streets. United with the Chicago Police Department, Hunter pushes her efforts to secure safety in and around the communities of Chicago.

“Repeat gun offenders are a source of the problem we have to fix,” said Hunter. “We have to create jobs to keep youth occupied and out of trouble.”