LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- From shootings to homicides, it's been a violent week in Louisville but a local organization believes it could help change the trend.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana has several mentoring programs aimed at keeping young people out of trouble and on the right path. And that's why they're hoping to hear from some of you.

If you have been keeping up with the latest news, you'll know Gun violence is dominating the headlines in Metro Louisville this week.

"I talk to my colleagues in Chicago and Nashville and Indianapolis and you know, violence is something that's going on all over our country," Gary Friedman, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, said.

Friedman believes there is a solution.

The impact of mentorship is powerful," he said.

"We have matched support specialists or college and career coaches that follow the young adults or you talk to them monthly about what's going on in their lives," Lisa Powell, chief program officer of BBBS, said.

Powell said their follow-up data shows mentoring works.

"One hundred-percent of our youth stay out of the juvenile justice system, that's directly correlated to having that mentor in their life to prevent that impact and potentially in the community of violence," Powell said.

Jess Wells initially became a big sister with hopes to make a difference and help change the trend but said it has been rewarding for her as well.

"The relationship that we've built has just been amazing," Wells said. "She is definitely sassy and he keeps me in check just as much as I keep her in check."

"As of today we have over 200 young people that if we got adults, we could match them today," Friedman said.

If the number of recent shootings don't motivate more people to become mentors, Friedman hopes another statistic will.

"The facts are today that over 1 and 3 young people indicate they don't have that positive adult in their life," Friedman said.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, click here. For information about becoming a big brother or sister, click here.

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