COLUMBIA, SC(WACH)- It's a crisis in the classroom: gang violence.

That's why local leaders held a hoop fest, to try to combat gang violence in the Midlands.

They want to educate middle and high school students on how to protect themselves from any involvement.

“Just trying to give kids different avenues to see the world in a different light than what they may see or what they may be accustomed to because of the environment they live in", said Frederick Hoskins, the facility manager at Polo Road Park.

The latest CDC report shows more children die from being gun violence than car crashes.

The Hoops Fest started in February in Eastover.

Saturday, it was held at Polo Roads Park, and they're branching out to Saint Andrews at the start of the New Year in hopes of continuing this conversation.

The event was hosted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Richland County Recreation Commission.

“Gang violence isn’t just a Richland County Sheriff’s Office issue, it’s a community issue", said Ira Thomas, the founder of the event.

Hoops fest also has mentors that teach young children valuable life lessons, such as etiquette and the importance of not getting involved in gangs.

‘It’s gonna take a lot of us", said Earl Brown. "Not only one organization, not only Richland County, but it takes a village to raise these kids.”

The next event will be held in January of 2023 in Saint Andrews.