BOSTON -- Residents in Boston will try to take back the streets from violence this weekend.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that there have been 137 shootings in the city and 21 people killed in Boston since the start of the year.

The spike in deadly violence has prompted a community group to call for a weekend of peace.

"When my son was killed at 15 years old, there was an anger, there was a rage, and yes, there was a thirst for revenge. But then, they would have won," said Clementina Chery, of the Louis Brown Peace Institute.

"We go through a cycle of violence and grief and recognition and violence and grief and recognition. We need to move from that into solution, resolution and peace," said Stanley Pollack, of the Center for Teen Empowerment.

This is not the first time there has been a mother's walk for peace or a youth peace conference in Boston, but by putting both events together under the umbrella of Peace Weekend, urban leaders hope to shake off a sense of helplessness.

"I have been to many funerals in my lifetime, and sadly, the majority of them have been for people who are younger than I am. I just turned 21 at the beginning of this month. When May 1 came and I woke up to my birthday, the first thought that came to my head was 'Wow, I made it,'" said Marquis Tucker, of the Center for Teen Empowerment.

"A statement from the Cape Verdean community: We stand here united today to tell you that we will not stand for violence in our community. We have never stood for violence in our community. We stand for peace," said Denise Gonsalves, of Cape Verdean Community's UNIDO.

"Too often the ways in which we address the problems of violence are temporary. Commitment falters, funding dries up, leadership and social philosophies change," said Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral.

"Forgiveness to us is everything because what forgiveness does is free us. It frees us so we can live, and we can move forward in our lives. We will be able to go forth, Kai will be able to live her life without being held back," said Tonya David, whose daughter, Kai Leigh Harriott, was paralyzed by a stray bullet as a toddler.

"We can't run from this. And the adults, this is my last appeal, that all of the necessary stake holders, I would hope and appeal, and beg if I have to, that as early as next week get in the room, one room at the same time -- not the revolving door where so-and-so talks to the Cabots, and the Cabots talk to the Lodges … " said Boston Sen. Dianne Wilkerson

The 14th Annual Youth Peace Conference will be held on Saturday at the Boston Park Plaza. About 800 teens are expected to attend. Meanwhile, Mayor Thomas Menino will meet with the Cape Verdean community to discuss how to stop the increasing number of shootings and stabbing in recent weeks.