ChataVia White, 24, screams and cries in heartbreak as she rests her hand on the blood of her best friend Naomi Anthony at the location where she was shot and killed days prior. "She's got two kids, how do you explain to an seven-eight and a one-year-old? How...? Put your guns down, if you oh so angry, look at Claressa Sheilds, ya know she been out here going to the boxing match, punching bags and now look at her now, if you're oh so mad, box it out, put the guns down." she said. White recently moved to North Carolina to pursue a criminal justice degree after growing up in Flint and wanting to see change. Pastor Chris Martin gathered pastors and Flint community members outside of the Cathedral of Faith Church in Flint's First Ward to march and pray in response to a spike in violence around the Christmas holiday.(KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat)

FLINT, MI —  In 2021, Flint nearly tied its record for yearly homicides ending the year with an estimated 70 homicides including murder, manslaughter, negligent vehicular homicide, and justifiable homicide. 

A group of community partners from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Flint Beat, Flint Neighborhoods United, Michigan State University, and WOW Outreach have come together to help work with the Flint community to find solutions for the city’s ongoing gun violence issue. 

Part of this process includes having community members fill out a survey to find out how residents feel about gun violence and what they think the solution is.

We want your input. We know that the people closest to the problem are also closest to the solution.

Please, take time to complete our survey as we all work together to help create a safer environment for Flint families.