KILLEEN, TX — An anti-violence organization is working to spread awareness and help Central Texans by opening a chapter in Killeen.
No More Violence Organization aims to spread awareness about violence, create ways to prevent it and assist families who have lost loved ones to violent crimes.
Based in Dallas, each year the nonprofit hosts the No More Violence Youth Convention in Killeen.
Soon the first chapter of the organization will be introduced to Bell County.
25 News spoke to a Killeen mom who lost her son, Dino Cannon, to violence in 2012. She shared what an organization like this means for her community.
"Someone has to take the lead, and maybe once they take the lead, we as a community can follow that lead. We just need the assistance. We need to know where to go and who can we go to to find that help," said Cannon.
She said the Killeen community was there for her when she lost her son.
The former Killeen High School football player was murdered at the age of 18 during a family vacation in Florida.
Representatives from the No More Violence Organization Killeen Chapter shared they plan on working to build a better and safer community through prevention and education.
"This organization is designed to not only help the youth, but also when the parents or family members do suffer from violence, we want to be there to give them that support," said Gwendolyn Tyler, President of the No More Violence Organization Killeen Chapter. "Whether it be just to be there to talk to them or to help them to make arrangements, we want to be a visible part in their lives."
The group will host a grand opening for the chapter at 1p.m. on Saturday at Simmonsville Baptist Church in Killeen, located at 509 South 42nd Street.
They are looking to fill Board of Directors and volunteer positions. Family members of victims are also welcomed to stop by and get involved.
