Gang members are taking over a church-run building near 31st and Troost; however, this is a gang possibly worth joining.
Several youth are in the process of renovating an active church at 3109 Troost in order to open the Kamgang Community Center, named after their friend and brother, Kameron Gay, who was killed Sept. 16.
"It's gonna be the first positive gang that anyone's ever witnessed," said Troy Robertson, who is helping to lead the project.
Robertson says he's lost several friends to violence this summer and that it's time for youth to come together to stop the killing.
"I don't even remember the last time I have seen one of my friends die naturally. Not even normal no more. They always die by gunfire," said Robertson.
Gay's father, Maurice Gay, is proud to see something positive being done following his son's death.
"My son's life was taken for pretty much nothing and his life was cut way short, and we want to prevent that from happening to anyone else," said Maurice Gay.
He added, "Maybe we can help reduce some of this violence by giving them other options to express their emotions rather than shooting a gun."
The Kamgang Community Center will be open for the next several days while looking for volunteers and supplies to continue the renovation.
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com.
