Columbia Links gives high school students in Chicago a voice to make the community and media aware of critical social issues that need to be addressed by government and policy makers through news literacy, journalism, reporting and leadership experiences. Chicago has one of the highest murder rates in the nation, and the killings primarily target young people. Teens' stories about their losses and solutions to violence as a public health problem in the video empower the community to embrace democracy at a grassroots level and make change. The video was shown at a Chicago Town Hall meeting for residents of violent neighborhoods to take action, and is on the Links website, www.columbialinks.org. Teens in the video continue to appear in person at media and violence prevention events in the city to urge change.