Block By Block, Englewood Mom Fights Get Get Community Back
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Englewood is no stranger to violence, but there are also signs of hope.
"No Shooting Zone."
"Thanks for my Child."
"My Day is Complete, I Heard a Child Laugh."
These signs are on several blocks, here in Englewood.
Englewood resident Dionne Frye is the visionary behind these signs.
Her message to shooters?
"We're tired of going to the funeral home and you have to come through us! We're the women. We bear the children and it's just gotten out of hand."
The mother of eight girls is the founder of the non-profit group MASS, Mothers Against Street Shooters.
The inspiration for the organization is her daughter's 16 year-old friend.
"Shaquise Buckner was gunned down on 73rd and Laflin with a AK-47," Frye said.
Armed with an idea, wood and paint two years ago, Frye is now working to change Englewood, one block at a time.
She puts up new signs each month.
The violence in Englewood has a permanent imprint on 24-year-old Demar Farris.
Farris has lived in Englewood nearly his entire life. He has a four year-old son.
"I want to see our children grow."