Local pastor has mission to help victims heal after mass shootings

By Courtny Gerrish

CREATED Mar. 7, 2013

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  • Courtny Gerrish reports on a local pastor who helps people recover from tragedies, and just recently that mission took him to a place still filled with grief. Video by wtmj.com

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MILWAUKEE - He helps people recover from tragedies, and just recently that mission took him to a place still filled with grief.

Pastor Greg Young has seen the after-effects of the unthinkable. First, the Sikh Temple massacre in Oak Creek, and then the Azana Spa shooting in Brookfield.

Young is now helping with the grief in Newtown, Connecticut, after 20 children and six educators were killed by a gunman.

"This is not a sprint," he said. "It's a marathon, and the healing, it's going to take a long, long time."

Young plays a role in that healing, helping offer hope and support to the community and first responders.

"That stress accumulates if they don't deal with it," he said. "So hence, we develop programs to help them."

Young just returned from a community forum at Western Connecticut State University, alongside Reverend Young, the principal of Columbine High School.

One of the questions asked is "Why?"

"I was asked that question when the Sikh Temple shooting took place," he said. "Sometimes there are no answers. All we can do is hold their pain."

He said he can also show those struggling the way down the long dark road to recovery. Reverend Young says this is his calling and knows he will be needed again.

"It's not if, it's when," he said.

Young has also counseled first responders involved in 9-11. His recommendation for anyone who has been through a tragedy is talk about it so you can gain control and power over your story.