A group of young people are using music to cope with violence and other struggles in the city.

Release the Grip music program is an anti-gun violence organization that meets on Clay Avenue.

Raphael Marfo, a junior in high school, says he wants to become a musician when he gets older.

“It just makes me more excited,” he said of the program. “They're pushing me to become something.”

Release the Grip invited in musicians from the nonprofit Road Recovery to teach the group how to channel their emotions into songs instead of addictions.

Just like many of the kids who come to Release the Grip, the musicians teaching the class have their struggles as well, which is why they say they can so easily connect to them.

The 12-week program ends with a live show that the children are preparing for.