RESERVE — In the first week of Gun Violence Awareness Month in June, the St. John the Baptist Parish community was reeling from the shooting deaths of Kyree Jones, 20, of Reserve and Malcolm Johnson, 27, of LaPlace.

Johnson’s death led to the arrest of a 16-year-old juvenile for second degree murder as the suspected shooter.

Reading the headlines, East St. John High School coach and disciplinarian Rysean Brown felt uneasy. He reasoned something must be done to give young people a positive outlet and hope for the future so they can see not all paths lead to violence.

Athletics and mentorship helped Brown turn his life around in high school, and he hopes to do the same for the youth through Friday evening basketball and cabbage ball games at Regala Park in Reserve, continuing through the summer.

“I was a ‘bad kid’ with behavioral issues. I consider myself as one of them,” Brown said. “I can understand where they’re coming from because I went through that. Now that I’ve changed my life, I feel like I’m that person to help them through what they deal with on a daily basis. I have a passion for working with the kids. They’re just constantly on my mind.”

Meanwhile, Pastor Devin Mason of New Rescue Mission Baptist Church in Reserve yearned to find solutions for violence that has plagued the community. While communicating with Brown, Mason organized a two-day community event to comfort the families of victims and open the floor to public input.

All River Parishes residents are invited to take a stand against gun violence next weekend, starting with Brown’s team-versus-team “Ball Out Friday” 5 p.m. June 28 at Regala Park in Reserve.

Age divisions for basketball and cabbage ball are geared toward youth ages 11 to 21, though Brown said there will always be a spot for younger children who choose to participate. Adults are invited to pull up a chair, listen to music and watch the games to help support the youth.

Children who participate will have access to positive role models who instill life lessons through the game. Brown sees the effort building throughout the summer and, if successful, continuing through the school year.

More than 75 kids have signed up thus far.

“The whole thing is making a positive impact on the kids and letting them know, you’re not in this by yourself,” Brown said. “We’re not judging. We’re not criticizing. We’re just here for them to have something to look forward to in life. There’s more opportunities than the streets.”

At 1 p.m. Saturday, June 29, the community is invited to gather for a prayer walk from Homewood to East 13^th Street in Reserve, eventually ending at East 14^th Street by New Rescue Mission Baptist Church.

Pastor Devin Mason said Parish President Natalie Robottom, Sheriff Mike Tregre and local clergy members are expected to attend the event, which offers support to the family of victims with a balloon release in honor of lives lost.

“I find it very fitting that in light of that homicide, with June being Gun Violence Awareness Month, that we just use it as a spring board, not only because of the homicide in Homewood, but because there have been several homicides and shootings,” Mason said.

Mason believes in being proactive rather than reactive, meaning the community gathering is an opportunity to share ideas on stopping the violence.

“This is a community effort to try to better the parish and the community where we all live,” Mason said.

Mason said a similar rally will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday in front of the Cambridge subdivision to allow easier access to LaPlace residents.

In addition to attending the gatherings, community members can help by donating to Brown’s summer initiative. No donation is too large or too small, and food items such as hot dogs, chili, Powerade, water, nacho chips and cheese, peppers, small bowls, chips, pickles and napkins are still needed.

Brown’s wife, Shiki Brown, said the weekly 5 p.m. games will be successful because there is no person more suited to supporting the youth than her husband.

On Father’s Day, about 10 kids came over to spend the day with Brown, according to his wife.

“He just has such a good connection with the kids in the community,” Diashiki Brown said. “They respect him. He mentors a lot of them. He’s the peacemaker. All he knows is these kids.”

She said Ball Out Fridays give young people a chance to compete on the court instead of the streets and find common ground with others in the community.

For more information about the weekly games, call Brown at 985-212-9161.