“Operation Save Our Sons” says violence is destroying their communities… And black on black crimes are happening all too often. So they’re doing something about it. The local organization held a week-long effort aimed at guiding young people in Jacksonville down the right path. Channel 4’s Marques White shows us how the group is trying to transform lives. 3 00-0522-2744-4751-551:03- 1;1019-1:251:30-1:35Leaders of “Operation Save Our Sons” are fighting to improve the community…Some of the events used the power of prayer… 140718 GUNS NATS: AND WE’RE GONNA DECREASE VIOLENCE BY TEACHING YOU TO WALK AWAY… Young people at the summit told us it’s not always easy to make the right decisions. They say they see guns and drugs in their community and they want change too…) 141523 CHARLES FRANCIS/12- YEARS-OLD — ATTENDED SUMMIT: PEOPLE BEING KILLED. I WATCH THE NEWS EVERYDAY AND I DON’T WANT TO BE ONE OF THEM PERSONS The summit taught kids mistakes don’t have to be permanent and defining.) It also taught community members that it’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure young people make the right choices.) The operation partnered with law enforcement. ) Young people say they learned important life-lessons. 141830 JAQUON BAKER/ATTENDED SUMMIT: HOW TO BE MY OWN SELF AND DON’T LET OTHERS FOLKS INFLUENCE ME AND DON’T DO STUFF I’M NOT SUPPOSED TO And some want to share what they learned with other young people.141253 COLE PICKETT/17 YEARS OLD: I SEE MY WHOLE LIFE DIFFERENT NOW. I SEE HOW TO TAKE THE RIGHT ROAD AND HOW TO BE MY OWN PERSON.The event also taught the importance of appearance.Members of the community attended and say the operation is making a difference…) 131106 BURSEY ARMSTRONG/OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY INCORPORATED: I’VE SEEN THEIR ENTHUSIASM THEIR WILLINGNESS TO LEARN TO BE APART TO BE INFORMED AND TO JUST ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER The event also taught parents what resources are available.) Some parents also want to be involved in helping…142236 ABNER DAVIS/ATTENDED SUMMIT: WELL THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO START GIVING THEM LOVE. WE HAVE TO SHOW THEM APPRECIATION. WE HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE RESPECT THEM AND THAT WE LOVE THE SAME WAY WE LOVE OUR OWN CHILDREN.Now many continue to hope for a brighter future.) 130529 PASTOR JOHN GUNS/OPERATI ON SAVE OUR SUNS: SCHOOLS BECOMING BETTER, NEIGHBORHOODS BECOME BETTER, THE CITY BECOMES BETTER SOME OF THE DISCIPLANRY CHALLENGES THAT TEACHERS ARE HAVING WILL NOT BE THERE..100239 MW SU: OPERATION SAVE OUR SONS HAS OTHER EVENTS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THEY HAVE THOSE EVENTS LISTED ON THEIR WEBSITE.WE HAVE A LINK ON OUR WEBSITE AT NEWS4JAX-DOT-COM. MW, C4, TLS.