CHICAGO - It's been 10 years since a stray bullet ended the life of 18-year-old Alexandria Burgos.
Her family once again hosted a festival in honor of her love for the fall season and her dream of helping young people succeed.
"My daughter wanted to be a social worker. She loved working with kids. The kids loved her and she wanted to make a difference in society," Alexandria's mother Milagros Burgos said.
Alexandria was killed in October 2014. On Saturday, her family held their annual harvest festival in collaboration with Aspira High School, inspired by Alexandria's love for autumn.
"So we have trunk or treat so that the children and adults, they are welcome to help themselves to candy...then we have our pumpkin patch area where everyone is welcome," Milagros said. "What people are looking forward to is gathering, having a safe space to come together."
Students were honored with certificates as several of them wrote poetry on gun violence in the city. Organizers want the festival to recognize young people in the community.
"Yeah, you know, it's a legacy thing. It's a beautiful story and a sad story at the same time that continues to morph into what we see today, young people coming together," said Benjamin Vazquez, program director of Youth Center Aspira.
In the decade since Alexandria died, no arrests have been made in her case. Still, her family continues to turn their pain into advocacy work against gun violence.
For example, they support legislation that would require cold cases be reassigned to a new detective after three years.
""After three years, three years or more, fresh eyes, another detective would be assigned that case. It also appoints family liaisons to the case and they would mediate with the victims and the families," said Yolando Androzzo, executive director of One Aim Illinois Coalition.
Alexandria's friends told WGN News while they'll always miss her, gatherings like Saturday's bring great solace as the years go by.
"It always makes feel a little bit more warm and getting that light from Alex's presence. To have that unity and community amongst the sadness, it is a lot of comfort," Alexandria's friend Stephanie Picado said.