Group kicks off Ceasefire Sabbath weekend in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- In the basement of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milwaukee there is a call for change.

"We have to find ways to reduce the violence in the city," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said as he addressed a crowd.

The room is packed with police, city officials and religious leaders all brainstorming ways to stop the violence.

"Let's see what we can do to make it better," Pamela Collins said.  She is a mother who knows violence first-hand.  Her daughter Rosalind Ross was killed in 2010.  Her lover was convicted of shooting and killing her outside of a fast food restaurant.

"It took so much out of me.  It hurt me so bad.  It really tested my faith," Collins said.

She is addressing the crowd at the ninth annual Ceasefire breakfast.  It is a kick-off to a weekend of events encouraging people to promote peace.  Groups will speak to five Milwaukee churches, using faith as a tool to make a difference.

"Many times we're not talking to the young man who is going to be out at three o'clock with a gun, but we may be talking to their mother or their girlfriend or their sister and they ultimately can reach them," Mayor Tom Barrett said.

The Ceasefire Sabbath starts at 8 a.m. Sunday, June 9th.  Groups will address churches throughout the afternoon.