ROCHESTER, N.Y. — At least 42 young people, under the age of 18, were victims of gun violence in Rochester last year — an increase from the year before.

One response to the issue came from a teen who wants change.

Isaiah Santiago has been advocating against youth gun violence since he was 16 when he started his youth-led program called We Got This. It's designed to help combat the ongoing problem.

“I actually lost two friends to gun violence around that time," said Santiago. "I kind of questioned how personally me as a young person can help my peers."

Now as a college freshman, he continues to see the impact of youth gun violence and he knows the fight is far from over.  

“I’ve lost three ... three people to gun violence and one of those people being my close cousin," he said. "It's been challenging going through a semester losing so many people to gun violence and then on top of that seeing so many others, 12-year-olds, you know, 8-year-olds..."

So he continues to spread the word about We Got This, hoping to help young people get out of the streets and help them cope with violence in any way he can.

“Both with proactive measures and reactive measures, connecting with the Monroe County probation office, just getting young people that are maybe not going down the right path onto the right path through arts, music and talents," Santiago said. "It's really giving them a chance to focus on that instead of focusing on the negative in the community.

It comes at a time he knows they need it most.  

“Right now what the younger generation is calling for, is one for help," Santiago said. "They’re not calling for help at this point, we’re screaming for help — but two, for something new.” 

“It's a cycle, as far as gun violence," he added. "When you lose a friend or you lose a family member to gun violence, it's very easy for you to get into violence yourself because you're so frustrated and you're so hurt by this person's death.”

That's why he stresses the importance of including young people in conversations about gun violence and the importance of understanding and addressing its impact on mental health.  

“I think that … I’ve been able, in a way, to encourage a lot of other young people to know that your voice matters, even though being young," said Santiago. "A lot of times young people are not a part of these tables and these conversations regarding them. And that’s part of the issue that we face."