Youth mentorship programs can have profound impact on young people exposed to violence, psychologist says

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Fox 59 on 7/15/2021 by Courtney Crown

INDIANAPOLIS — At least 142 people have been killed so far this year. The violence in Indy creates devastating ripple effects throughout our entire community.

Thankfully some invested adults are committed to encouraging our young people to rise above the violence. Mental health experts say a trusted adult and a safe environment can help children exposed to frequent community violence heal.

“This should bother you,” Kareem Hines, founder of a youth mentorship program, says to his students as he shows them a map of the most recent shooting outbreak in Indy. “Not only should it bother you, somebody should be sitting down and having a conversation.”