MILWAUKEE — After a string of violent incidents involving youth in Milwaukee, organizations are trying to reach out to kids in the community.

Our Next Generation (ONG) is one of those organizations. It works with kids of all ages and hosts a free summer camp that engages kids in academic and community-based activities.

Kasim Alexander is a former student, who now helps lead the high school program.

“ONG has definitely shaped my entire life, sincerely,” Alexander said. “It raised me, basically. It has always been like a second home to me.”

Alexander said he’s saddened by the recent violence involving Milwaukee teenagers.

A shooting at a concert Wednesday left a teen dead, and another Thursday left two teens injured after a chase involving a stolen car.

“Knowing that there are kids that could really use something like ONG, it really makes me want to reach out and try to get as many kids to come into the program as possible,” Alexander said.

La Toya Sykes is ONG’s president and CEO. She said part of the problem is that kids aren’t engaged in the community enough.

“Many of these kids don't have anything to do and they just don't have any direction,” Sykes said.

ONG was one of the recipients of a “Summer of Healing” grant through the city’s office of community wellness and safety.

Sykes said the funds will allow ONG to continue to offer its summer program for free, as well as partner with the other recipient organizations to reach more kids.

“It helps us teach kids about resiliency,” Sykes said. “It helps us teach kids about their other options. It's really about healing every day.”

Alexander said he hopes he’s able to give back to kids in the same way he was helped as a kid.

“Sometimes you just may need someone to talk to,” he said. “Sometimes you just need a little extra push in school. I am extremely happy to be able to be the person that provides that to the kids.”