A program in Bridgeport is teaching young people to stay in school and prevent gun violence.

Don Wilson's Bridgeport Youth Lacrosse program brings kids together to learn the sport while keeping them off the streets.

Romario Sailsman, 17, said he is grateful to Wilson's program. He said the nonprofit has taught him to stay off the streets and engage in positive activity and character building through sports.

Wilson said he hopes to prevent tragedies like the death of 15-year-old Zion Burton, who was killed in a church banquet hall a week ago.

"We use sports as a vehicle for a conflict resolution, so when these kids are coming to us, we are teaching them about conflict resolution, we are teaching them about character building,” Wilson said.