Community programs trying to address youth violence in Indianapolis

Community leaders in Indianapolis are calling for action and accountability to address youth violence, with groups like Struggle Made Us working to prevent violence before it starts.

IMPD has stated that the issue is not about staffing, as they have officers downtown. However, when juveniles are picked up, the only legal place to take them is Youth and Family Services, where space is limited. To address this, IMPD is exploring new community partnerships to provide more placement options.

“Parents, I understand that finding mentors and community organizations is what people would love to do. But the truth is, there’s not a lot of us to serve the needs of everybody,” said Aaron Green, CEO of Struggle Made Us, a youth mentorship program.

Aaron Green has been working for the past decade to build a safe landing pad for youth without one. He emphasizes that while curfews may temporarily remove kids from dangerous situations, they do not solve the issue without structure and support. Green calls for a deeper investment in community organizations, noting that while cameras and officers are being added downtown, areas such as Brightwood, Post Road, and Haughville also require resources.

“We need to put some money into the resources these kids need,” he said. Green also stresses the importance of community self-reliance, saying, “We’ve got to start fixing our problems ourselves and stop waiting on legislation and the government to do different things. We gotta figure out how we can help each other and get back to that village type of structure.”

Green believes that the most crucial step Indianapolis can take to keep youth safe this summer is to support those who are actively working every day to make a difference.

Photo: Aaron Green with Struggle Made Us.

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