SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - City leaders gathered at the Basketball Hall of Fame Wednesday for a panel discussion on community violence. The forum looked at violence in the community and the impact that it has on youth. The panelists discussed the root cause of violence and the efforts throughout the city to get these young adults' lives back on track. Massachusetts State Police warn residents of phone scheme Being surrounded by community violence can impact youths' behavioral and emotional development and Springfield leaders came together to highlight the causes of violence and discuss ways to lead young adults down the right path. Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi says the causes of community violence vary from social and economic issues to racial disparities and easy access to guns. He says this can change if these young adults have the resources and an opportunity to turn their lives around. "We are going to start to produce opportunities that they can seize --that they can provide for their families and do it in a law-abiding and productive way," said Cocchi. "When you don't have the opportunity to exhibit your talents it becomes nonexistent and you start to find your own ways to survive and that's where you see people falling and being called to the streets." ROCA is an organization that helps young adults to find hope and change their lives. A youth worker at ROCA says it's important to have more programs throughout the community that will help to guide the youth down a more positive path. "These kids come in with no licenses, no education, just on survival mode in the street," said ROCA's Brian Vargas. "We help them to touch base with themselves and understand that education is power, knowledge is power." Dr. Kristina Kramer is a part of the Better Tomorrow program at Baystate Health. She says community violence is a public health issue. "I care for people when they come in injured by violence and we do a lot of work to help heal them from a physical perspective but one of the things we are working to do better at is healing them from an emotional perspective," remarked Kramer. To do that Kramer says Baystate Health is working toward supporting these patients while they are in the hospital and connecting them to risk reduction resources in the community that help to prevent reinjury and retaliation. Local News Greenfield unveils municipal digital equity plan Authorities investigate wayward bullets striking Belchertown homes Public health group receives federal money to expand healthy air network UMass Amherst protesters hold people’s assembly on campus Kiara Smith is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since March 2023. Follow Kiara on X @KiaraBSmith1 and view her bio to see more of her work.