BUFFALO, N.Y. — In the weeks since the racist massacre in Buffalo, it's been a time of pain, sadness and anger for many.

While the community is trying to heal, some are still making sure people can feel safe at the many memorials, vigils and, unfortunately, funerals.

In search of personal peace, Murray Holman heads to the edge of Lake Erie for a sense of serenity. 

"You can breathe,” he said. “You can shed the tear that you can't share.”

As he looks out over the water at Erie Basin Marina, he can't help but think about what the last few weeks have been like.

"When I lay down in the bed after I take a shower I just lay there, and, man, I just have to wake up the next morning and start all over again," he said.

Holman is one of the leaders of the Western New York Peacemakers, and heads the Stop the Violence Coalition.

Since the hate-filled mass shooting at Tops on Jefferson Avenue, they've been there dressed in yellow for the community, helping folks find the help they need to deal with the tragedy and — quite literally — keeping the peace.

"We try to go there and be the buffer and try make it work,” Holman said. “Sometimes family wants to go across that yellow tape because a loved one has been maimed or killed.”

Peacemakers volunteers have been present at vigils, the president's visit to Buffalo and, sadly, funerals for those who lost their lives in the senseless shooting.

"We're there to comfort the family, but we want to make sure no nonsense happens,” Holman said. “We get to funerals and someone's upset. I understand that. We want to make sure you respect the church and respect your family and it goes as smoothly as possible.”

While many are grieving, the Peacemakers are hurting too. These are their neighborhood, and it's traumatic for them as witnesses to what's happening.

"Our folks are tired,” Holman said. “They're worn down, but they still maintain. They look for days when they can just have a picnic together or barbeque together as groups."

And they need help themselves. Holman said he's reached out elected leaders, churches and others to make sure they have access to mental and restorative services, not just right now, but in the future.

He's also asking corporations to consider funding a trip so the Peacemakers can decompress. 

"Help us that we can get on a bus or plane so we can get away from this without red tape,” he said. “So we can say, ‘job well done.’”

Holman added that in the wake of the Tops shooting, it seems other violence in the city has lessened as people show respect and process the situation.

While groups like his have shown strength through stress, everyone needs a break, or a breakdown, sometimes. 

"Real men do cry, but we don't get the moment like this," he said.