Meet Me at the Bell Tower to turn 3 years old in November

On Friday, 25 people met at the bell tower on Selkirk Avenue and Powers Street in Winnipeg's North End to plan a celebration for the upcoming third birthday of an initiative that aims to end violence in the neighbourhood. 

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Meet Me at the Bell Tower turns three on Nov. 21.

While participants have created new peace-oriented artwork and the seasons have changed (members meet weekly rain, snow or shine), the group's focus is the same as it was in the beginning.

Michael Champagne is the organizer of Aboriginal Youth Opportunities and he started Meet Me at the Bell Tower.

"Lead by example and celebrate the strengths of our community as an alternative to violence, and listen to the youth," Champagne said.

Gordon Parisian, 17, attended his first Meet Me at the Bell Tower gathering on Friday.

"It's just really awesome," Parisian said of the group. "Cause everyone has negative emotions and I think this is a good outlet through that and turn it into positive emotion. And a lot of enthusiasm and make new friends here."

Meet Me at the Bell Tower welcomes everyone to attend on Fridays at 6 p.m. and the third birthday party for the initiative will be held on Friday, Nov. 21.