Stop Kill'n Start Chill'n Memorial Service
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: December 3, 2012
For Karen Snipes, her daughter's murder doesn't seem real. 17-year-old Larie Butler was found dead in a pool back in March.
"It's been hard. It's like I'm dreaming. That I'm not waking up from a dream. I haven't figured out that my daughter is gone," said Karen Snipes.
An anti-violence group called Stop Kill'n Start Chill'n held a memorial service for those who lost their lives to violence in the city of Rochester. With homicides at an all time high, this year was a devastating one for many families.
Sunday's service was a way to bring a little joy to those still suffering.
"The most prominent time when people are around is when the death happens, but two weeks later, three weeks later, two hours later, sometimes people just disappear," said Rev. Britt Pledger.
The group is a support system for families all year long, but it's during the holidays when they need it the most.
"Thanksgiving was kind of hard for me. I went out to the cemetery. I visited her. It's real hard," said Snipes.
"When folks are going through something, we want to give them a comfort. We want to be a comfort and care for them. We want to be there when families are in need," said Pledger.
Laquisha Bridges-Carter lost her husband Alfred Carter to violence back in August. Although the pain doesn't go away, Stop Kill'n Start Chill'n gives her hope.
"The last few months have changed our lives. You know being a single mother with two children. Our daughter was 16 months at the time, so it's been a little hill to climb but God is good," said
Rev. Pledger hopes to make the memorial service an annual event.
"It's been hard. It's like I'm dreaming. That I'm not waking up from a dream. I haven't figured out that my daughter is gone," said Karen Snipes.
An anti-violence group called Stop Kill'n Start Chill'n held a memorial service for those who lost their lives to violence in the city of Rochester. With homicides at an all time high, this year was a devastating one for many families.
Sunday's service was a way to bring a little joy to those still suffering.
"The most prominent time when people are around is when the death happens, but two weeks later, three weeks later, two hours later, sometimes people just disappear," said Rev. Britt Pledger.
The group is a support system for families all year long, but it's during the holidays when they need it the most.
"Thanksgiving was kind of hard for me. I went out to the cemetery. I visited her. It's real hard," said Snipes.
"When folks are going through something, we want to give them a comfort. We want to be a comfort and care for them. We want to be there when families are in need," said Pledger.
Laquisha Bridges-Carter lost her husband Alfred Carter to violence back in August. Although the pain doesn't go away, Stop Kill'n Start Chill'n gives her hope.
"The last few months have changed our lives. You know being a single mother with two children. Our daughter was 16 months at the time, so it's been a little hill to climb but God is good," said
Rev. Pledger hopes to make the memorial service an annual event.
