Youth Council Swearing-in Event Seeks to Bring New Solutions to Gang Violence

Makasia Purdy, 14, lost her 13-year-old friend, Christopher Scott, at a party in June 2021. Just a few months earlier, she lost Maliyah Godwin, 13, who was killed in the safety of her own apartment. Her friends were killed because of gun violence and gang activity. Purdy is now determined to make a change. Purdy, a member of Pace Center for Girls, was nominated as a representative in this council along with 13 other youth representing different cities and organizations in Alachua County.