LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)- At the Girard Park Recreation Center, community leaders held an event aimed at curbing teen gun violence in Acadiana.

News 10 caught up with the organizer of the event, Ken Carmouche, who said the teen gun violence in Acadiana has become an epidemic.

“We took an effort to help combat teen gun violence in our area, and we starting off this event called SOCKS,” said Carmouche.

Carmouche said SOCKS stands for “Saving Our Communities And Kids Successfully.” At this first event community leaders, parents and government officials gathered to participate in panel discussions, sing songs and engage in open conversations about ways to end the cycle of gun violence.

Carmouche said it takes an entire village to save a child’s life.

“I believe it’s a village that saves a child, and when you have parents and children, that is a family, and it takes a family to save a child,” said Carmouche.

Carmouche said it’s the adult’s responsibility to teach children right and guide them toward a brighter and safer future.

“It’s our experience, our know how, our maturity, and our mentoring, I think mentoring is a lack in our community and it need to be brought forward like it used to be in the older days or the days before we became adults,” said Carmouche.

Kevin Martin with the American Legion said April is recognized as Children and Youth Month and says he’s proud to showcase the event as a shining example of commitment to America’s next generation.

“April is Children and Youth Month with the American Legion, so everything fell into place where we can show this organization proud to the American people,” said Martin.

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