‘Army of Moms' carry anti-violence message to Back of the Yards

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -- It's been a deadly year in Chicago with 349 shot and killed already in 2015.

As violence continues to plague the city streets the ‘Army of Moms’ is encouraging everyone to get involved in their neighborhoods.  The group is made up of local residents who are concerned with the violence and want to put an end to it. 

The group, also known as MASK or Mothers Against Senseless Killings, was called to the Back of the Yards neighborhood following an incident that left two women dead and an 11-month-old boy wounded.

Their mission is easy - to spread love, their goal is hard – to stop the violence. 

“Everybody is starting to realize that gun violence is not just a south side problem.  It's not just a west side problem.  It's not just a Chicago problem.  It's an American problem,” said Tamar Manasseh, founder of MASK.

Manasseh started MASK this summer at 75th and Stewart in Englewood following a spike in gun violence.

This weekend the ladies in pink are at 53rd and Aberdeen, handing out hot dogs and hamburgers and getting to know the neighbors. This is the location of Monday's shooting where 11-month-old Princeton Chew was shot and his mother, Patricia Chew, and grandmother, Lolita Wells, were killed.

“I think it's going to get better, I hope it does because I have children too and I wouldn't want anything to happen to my children like that,” said one neighbor.

Neighbors say they are hopeful things like this get-together help end the violence.

“Maybe some of the violence will stop if they see the mothers and the daddies out here,” said another hopeful neighbor Annie Williams.

These concerned moms say the barbeques are about more than free food, but encouraging others to get involved.

“We feel that if every street corner has some moms and some men out there on patrol then we could really make a difference,” said MASK member Everloyce McCullough.

Manasseh says they can't do it on their own and they are calling on all Chicagoans to do their part.

“Stay tuned because we might be in your neighborhood and if we are in your neighborhood Chicago, we want you to come out and get involved, that's what this is about,” said Manasseh.

The group is planning to head to Bronzeville next.

They are also in the process of creating an Englewood youth center - that would give children a place to go during the winter months.