Saving Our Sons and Daughters, a community driven grassroots response to the issues of youth violence, will be holding a Father’s Day Picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 at the MLK Playground at Federal Street and North Avenue.

The event will have free hot dogs, hamburgers, Rita’s Italian Ice and other refreshments. There will also be face painting and water games for kids, as well as hair cuts, facials, manicures and pedicures.

With questions, more information, or to volunteer, contact Cecelia Ware at (412) 345-1366.

Ware said the Saving Our Sons and Daughters program is a promising start to build trusting relationships among youth, peers and authority figures to unify our City.

“Pittsburgh will become a place where youth can feel safe and thrive,” Ware said.

The goal is to engage youth and inspire hope that violence is preventable by enrolling in the Saving Our Sons and Daughters program. Ware said the group will continue community dialogues raising awareness on youth violence and facilitate training sessions geared towards school staff and youth workers.

“Too often small incidents and minor disagreements lead to serious violence among teens. Homicide is the leading cause of death among teens. Youth violence, approached as a public health issue, is preventable,” Ware said.