The head of a Bridgeport youth program will be honored soon for helping to decrease the local murder rate.

Don Wilson is the founder of Bridgeport Youth Lacrosse. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Mayor Joe Ganim will recognize him next month.

"I am very honored, but I can only take credit for playing a small part in this effort," Wilson told News 12 Sunday.

"It takes a village, and the credit goes to all of the amazing nonprofits in Bridgeport that work day in and day out to reduce violence among our youth," Wilson said.

Bridgeport Youth Lacrosse is a nonprofit youth organization founded in 2009 to help keep kids in school and off the street.

"We teach everything from conflict resolution to character building and stress reduction -- all of it helping to keep our kids focused on positive pursuits," Wilson explained.

Bridgeport officials say the city's murder rate dropped 50% between 2020 and 2024, thanks in part to Wilson's efforts.

Wilson will kick off Peace Week on June 1. It's a weeklong event focused on promoting unity, nonviolence and community pride.