DES MOINES, Iowa — Mothers Against Violence held their annual Victim Walk and Put the Guns Down, Pick Up a Mic show on Saturday, memorializing over 10 years of MAV.

Calvetta Berry helped start Mother’s Against Violence in 2013 after the child of a friend of hers died.

“I thought, ‘I need to do something for my community’ and so me and a group of friends started this organization and that was back in 2013. Since then we have helped family put on candle light vigils, raise money for funerals, just whatever families need,” said Berry. “We decided to do the annual victim walk to honor the loved ones we have lost each year.”

The Put the Guns Down, Pick Up a Mic Annual Talent Show and Victim’s Walk Annual Walk were held together this year at the Evelyn K Davis Park.

During the walk, families bring pictures of their loved ones and place them on the route, all their names are spoken and a moment of silence is held. Berry says it’s important to keep their memories alive to raise awareness despite the emotional toll it can take.

“It’s kind of overwhelming at times, it’s a little much, a lot of these faces I’ve known, some are family members of my own. Working with the families is a lot sometimes, it’s hard on me, but I feel like this is my purpose and I feel like I need to do this for the families.”

A few months ago MAV started a youth program with the goal of motivating youth to set and achieve goals, while embracing their communities. The program offers tutoring and life skills development, peer skill building, community outreach, and guest speakers.

The program serves ages 10 to 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday’s and Thursdays. The MAV Youth Program takes place at 323 University Avenue in Des Moines. Visit their Facebook to learn more about MAV’s mission and their programs.