Community Gathers for Healing and Hope

More than 250 people gathered Saturday at Lake Vista Recreation Center for the third annual Six Thirteen Community Block Party, an event created to honor the life of Keshawn Fuller while connecting local families with mental health resources, support services and conversations about youth violence.

Hosted by Keshawn’s Korner in partnership with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, the event combined wellness activities, community resources and a panel discussion on gun violence prevention.

The annual gathering traces its roots to the death of Fuller, a St. Petersburg teenager who died by suicide in 2023. His mother, Ricquesha Fuller, subsequently founded Keshawn’s Korner to help families navigate mental health challenges and connect young people with support before they reach a crisis point.

Saturday’s event reflected the organization’s continuing mission. Families visited resource booths, participated in wellness activities and joined an Honor Walk recognizing loved ones lost to suicide. Community organizations shared information on counseling services, youth programs, mentoring opportunities and family support resources available throughout Pinellas County.

A featured panel discussion focused on teen gun violence prevention, a topic that has received increasing attention across Tampa Bay following several recent incidents involving young people.

The discussion brought together community leaders with different perspectives and experiences, including gun violence prevention advocate Maress Scott, former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion B.J. Daniels, therapist Brian Lamar Stokes and educator Antonio Brown, founder of the Competitive Readers Coalition.

Panelists discussed the role of mentorship, mental health support, family engagement and community investment in helping young people avoid violence and build stronger futures.

The event’s dual focus on mental wellness and violence prevention reflects a growing recognition among educators, health professionals and community leaders that the issues are often interconnected. Organizers said creating opportunities for open conversations can help reduce stigma while encouraging families to seek support when needed.

Keshawn’s Korner has expanded its programming since its founding, offering mentorship initiatives and community outreach efforts aimed at helping youth develop resilience and stronger support networks.

For many attendees, the block party served as both a memorial and a community resource fair. Children participated in activities throughout the day while parents met with service providers and local organizations working to address challenges facing young people.

As the event concluded Saturday afternoon, organizers emphasized that the work continues long after the tents come down. Their goal remains building a community where families know where to turn for help and where young people have access to the support systems they need to thrive.

The annual Six Thirteen Block Party has become one of the most visible expressions of that mission, transforming personal loss into a growing movement centered on awareness, connection and hope.

Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/community-gathers-for-healing-and-hope/