The sound of bouncing basketballs filled Moody Park on Wednesday as young people served hot meals, sorted donated clothes and welcomed families to a free community event.

Next Generational Leaders distributed 100 dinners, shoes and clothing while organizing basketball activities for children and teenagers. Founder Chamar Clay said the event was about more than what families could take home. It was also an opportunity for young people from Milwaukee's 53206 ZIP code to show their community in a different light.

Watch: Chamar Clay lost friends to violence. Now she's feeding and clothing her Milwaukee neighborhood.

Chamar Clay lost friends to violence. Now she's feeding and clothing her Milwaukee neighborhood.

Clay grew up two blocks from Moody Park. After losing friends to violence and incarceration and watching young people face many of the same pressures she did, Clay set out to become the support system she says she once needed.

 And I have more than 10 friends in the graveyard. So maybe if I could get us together and it'd be more positive energy around, people will move positive, more positive people, more positive energy, more positive people, more positive energy,  Clay said.

TMJ4 Founder Chamar Clay

Clay was once ranked third in Wisconsin in basketball. She said her talent created opportunities, but her attitude and choices prevented her from fully taking advantage of them.

Rather than hide those mistakes, Clay uses them to connect with young people who may feel pressure to follow friends, prove themselves or make decisions that could change the course of their lives.

Her sister, 22-year-old Aniyah Winckler, understands those consequences personally. Winckler said she was shot in the head and arm at 17 after becoming involved in conflicts and street activity.

 God spared me, and he ain't sparing me for no reason,  Winckler said.

Winckler said surviving the shooting forced her to reconsider the direction of her life. She now works with children and hopes her experience can help prevent young people from making similar choices.

TMJ4 Aniyah Winckler,

Organizers said the nee

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