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Over $200,000 in funding was distributed among 25 organizations to combat gang violence in the District.
A lone coffin drove through inner city neighborhoods Tuesday with a message: gang behavior has consequences.
"Once we have their attention, we talk to them about gang prevention," said Tarik Stevens.
Stevens' program "Good Ground Good Life" was among the 25 organizations that was awarded funding. It has a warehouse office in the Edgewood neighborhood of northeast. For many young people like Ronald Waller, it's their summer job.
"Having nothing to do, that's where trouble starts that's the key to everything that goes on," said 19-year-old Waller.
They work with computers and help with the message that violence is not the way.
"They are out here killing their brothers and their sisters, snatching people from their families and it's wrong, so we trying to get that message out," said Timothy Jackson.
Sometimes the kids get to go out with the coffin truck as it passes through neighborhoods.
Della, a Northeast resident, says it doesn't impress her, "you see death every day. Death is a part of life. That does not affect me."
The Citywide Coordinating Council was established by Ward One Councilman Jim Graham and the Council of the District of Columbia as part of the 2008 supplemental budget. "I envision the Coordinating Council being able to leverage community support and services to young people that are entrenched in gang/crew violence," stated Councilman Graham.
The funding is designed to intervene with the more than 47 gangs, crews, and other groups commonly referred to as "gangs" in the city. It is also designed to reduce the incidence of youth violence and crime.
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