HARRISBURG, PA (WENY) -- Tina Ford founded the ‘Mothers Of Murdered Sons’ group five years ago. She was one of dozens of people who visited the capitol this week to support the Governor’s proposal for an Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

“But I still want to be that person who encourages mothers and gives them purpose.” Ford said.

Communities combating gun violence have multiple resources in Pennsylvania—but accessing them can be complicated.

The office would address that issue, acting as the connecting point for the state’s numerous gun violence initiatives and programs.

“We need a dedicated place in the government to coordinate all of the administrations responses to this crisis," said Adam Garber, executive director of Ceasefire PA, an advocacy group.

Pennsylvania averages 1900 gun deaths a year, according to mortality tracking from the CDC. Around 700 of those are homicides according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer. Around 60% of gun related deaths are suicides.

Shapiro has proposed $1 million for the creation of the office and an additional $99 million to fund gun violence prevention.

Republican lawmakers say reducing gun violence starts with enforcement.

“Putting $100 million in it when your not prosecuting criminals really doesn’t matter," said Rep. Seth Grove (R-196), the minority chair for House Appropriations Committee.

Event speakers linked community investments to reduced gun homicide rates from 2022 to 2023.

"Because communities know the solutions, they have the solutions to this crisis," said Garber. "But when your talking about small, grassroots organizations, survivors still dealing with the trauma on a daily basis, connecting them to those resources will super charge their efforts and save more lives.”

Maryland is the only state in the nation with an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. White House administration urged the creation of these types of organizations in states last fall.

Pennsylvania wants to use the office to be the connection for federal to local operations, along with researching efforts and making strategic investments in communities.

“Up in Erie you got the Blue Coats. This is a survivor lead organization by Daryl who is working to intervene in a crisis," said Garber. "So they know where the hotspots are. They know the people who are most likely to be involved in shootings. So they’re de-escalating those situations, and they’re helping provide services”

For Tina Ford, the answer lies in neighborhoods.

“If we can ask people for money, go to our neighbor for sugar, we should be able to go to these men in our communities that are successful and ask them to help us with out boys," said Ford. "We need to start doing the right thing because if not a lot of these mothers are going to be in my group, sitting beside me, asking the question ‘why’?”