Pittsburgh mayor meets with at-risk youth at PPG Paints Arena

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Saturday met with at-risk youth to talk about reducing gun violence.

This came at a summit hosted by the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, which also drew City Council members.

Gainey said such community partnerships are a pillar of his Plan for Peace, which he unveiled earlier this month as his strategy to combat violence in the city.

“If our Plan for Peace is going to be successful, then we must listen to those impacted by gun violence,” Gainey said, calling Saturday’s event a space “for us to hear directly from the youth in our city about what we can do to make Pittsburgh a safe city for them and their families.”

More than 50 young people and their families were invited to the summit, which was organized by the Rev. Cornell Jones, the city’s group violence intervention coordinator, and Sister Mary Williams from Save a Life Today Pittsburgh.

Jones said he was excited to continue the work they had begun with those who attended Saturday’s summit.

“These young people inspired me and continue to give me hope that we can have peace,” he said.

City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith has called for meetings like the one held this weekend as a way to help stop gun violence — particularly violence impacting the city’s youth.

“Council members have been horrified by the violence facing young people in our neighborhoods, and by meeting with at-risk youth we hope we can learn more about what Council can do to help,” she said.

Leaders spoke with participating youth at the arena before breaking into conference rooms for smaller discussions.

“The Penguins fully support Mayor Gainey and his administration’s efforts to reduce violence and provide for an all-hands collaborative approach to provide better opportunities for our youth,” said Kevin Acklin, president of business operations for the Penguins. “We stand ready to serve, together with other city organizations and leaders, to chart a safer and more prosperous path forward for our neighborhoods.”