KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A Kansas City, Kansas neighborhood is familiar with gangs, drugs and shootings. Now, a metro mom wants to fight crime from the inside and hopes to win.
FOX 4 first met LaVeda Davis after a gunfight near a school bus stop at 57th & Nogard.
“I hear massive amount of gunfire right up the block,” Davis said.
Davis hates the teen violence in her neighborhood so for 14 years she has quietly saved one at-risk life at a time. Davis started the Gateway High Steppers to keep kids off the street.
“Sometimes, I’m the mother, sometimes I’m big sister, but at any given time I could show up in any of these kids schools and I’m gonna ask about their grades,” Davis said.
She knows first hand the battle the kids face. They follow the rules, get good grades, have good attitudes and are willing to learn dance moves and whatever else Davis is teaching. The kids know what she expects from them.
“Give 100 percent and don’t be afraid
The drill team offers the kids a safe haven from violence.
“Without drill team, I don’t know where I would be right now,” said member Erykah Hooks.
Another member says the same.
“This is a safe haven, somewhere to go where I don’t have to worry about anything,” said Hollis Tatum.
The teens appreciate being able to take their minds off more serious situations by having drill team.
“It’s keeping me away from the negative side and I love to dance,” said Xbrie Morrow.
For some, this is the most stable family they have.
Davis dreams of having a bus pick up groups of kids from tough neighborhoods and haul them to safety.
“I would take those kids and we would go bbq, or go to the park and play at least they would have something to do,” Davis said.
