(ATLANTA, Ga.) — Gangs, violence, and crime are affecting so many children in Atlanta.

So this weekend, Atlanta Public Schools is tackling these important issues.

Channel 2′s Sophia Choi recently caught up with Superintendent Lisa Herring during an Atlanta Public Schools, Special Olympics event on Tuesday. She said the district is trying something new to combat the growing violence.

“We’re still pivoting and transitioning out of a pandemic, just two and a half years ago. We have to be honest about the impact that had on multiple levels,” Herring said.

APS is partnering with Chris 180 to unite parents with resources from up to 40 community organizations that deal with all sorts of issues, including gangs, anger, conflict resolution, and runaways.

Parents can also attend sessions, where they will learn how to prevent violence and how to intervene when it happens.

Herring said kids are especially at risk, during breaks.

“We’re very sensitive to the fact that spring break is coming very soon and we want to do everything that we can to empower our parents and our families and our households,” Herring said.

Atlanta mayor, Andre Dickens, an APS graduate, will be there at the event to engage parents. The message for the event is “uniting the village against gun violence.”

“Our families now more than ever have experienced intense levels of trauma,” Herring said.

The event will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 25 at Benjamin E Mays High School. APS parents and children are encouraged to attend.

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