Veronica Rountree is on a mission. Walking around the North Central neighborhood in Troy, she’s letting residents know about an upcoming event. It’s an event she hopes will help stop some of the recent gun violence, which has affected many families in not only the Collar City, but also across the state.
Last year, Rountree saw the impact of gun violence first hand.
“My son got shot last year,” Rountree said. “He survived that, and then everyday I’m watching our men, our boys, shoot each other. So as a mother, I need to do something about it.”
That close call compelled her to take a role in the fight against gun violence. Earlier this year, Rountree started Mother to Son, a group that’s urging parents to speak to their children about putting the guns down.
“What matters now is what we’re going to do now from this day on to save our own kids,” Rountree said.
She believes those conversations will be the impetus to saving kids from being shot. Rountree is hoping to spark those dialogues with engaging community events, like basketball games. She hosted one recently at the Troy Boys and Girls Club.
“It’s alright. We’re going to fix it,” said Rountree, standing on the sideline watching players run up and down the court. “Just come out and be involved. They got to get involved. We got to get them here.”
She’s got a few mothers so far to join in on her effort, but Rountree would like to see more step up and help raise awareness. She says these conversations can show there are other options to solving conflicts; ones that do not lead to death or prison.
“Just by our sons seeing that will set an example,” Rountree said. “I just need them not to be afraid. Stand up for your kids to save them.”
