CINCINNATI — There's a new push this holiday season to stop the rise in teen violence across Ohio.

What You Need To Know

  • For more than a decade, Bully Proof founder Gabe Etter has mentored kids in the community

  • Bully Proof is a bully prevention organization and brand that helps children overcome bullying

  • Etter will be the host of the Stop the Violence talent showcase on Nov. 26, which will include dancing and singing performances

  • The proceeds from the event will go toward helping victims of crime

The nonprofit, nonpartisan group Gun Violence Archive reports 52 teens were killed and 210 were wounded from shootings in Ohio already this year, numbers that will likely surpass last year's totals. Organizations are looking to provide an alternative outlet for kids.

Every week, teen boys meet for mentorship night at Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center. Food and activities are the highlights of every meeting. Gabe Etter, who leads the group, says it’s important for him to be a mentor.

"Just give them something I always wanted when I grew up — just somebody to be there for them and answer any questions they need,” said Etter. 

Roller skating with Etter is one of the boys’ favorite activities. Etter’s organization, Bully Proof, a bully prevention organization, was contracted to mentor the teens. Building trust, teaching life and coping skills and engaging the youth are just some of his goals and the things he loves to do.

“Getting to hang out with these guys right here, teaching them things, answering questions, that they may have, and just seeing the growth with the kids,” he said. 

James Abernathy is a Bully Proof partner. He knows firsthand what it’s like to be picked on as a child. And that’s why he wants to be there for these kids. 

“Having these strong role models when you’re in these critical ages can set you up for either success or a failure,” said Abernathy. 

When Etter isn’t mentoring kids, you can find him working on spreading his message. He sells clothing and hats all with his Bully Proof logo — what he calls a shield to help protect kids from bullies. The proceeds go toward helping connect more kids to mentors like him.

“We make sure we have a whole community full of people willing to support them and willing to back them up for any situation that they’re in,” he said.

This week, Etter will be preparing for the Stop the Violence event in Cincinnati. It’ll include different performances from dancers, singers, and rappers. Etter hopes it will be a fun way to engage the youth and prevent them from another tragic statistic of violence.

“Just give them hope and show them that it’s another way and that we have role models out here and behind them who are willing to do whatever it takes to get them further on in their life,” he said. 

All the proceeds from the event will go toward helping victims of crime. Stop the Violence will be hosted at the Western Hills Sports Mall on Nov. 26. 

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