"When I feel I'm having a super bad moment, I just remember that the whole community is supporting me and wants to see me up," says Alexis Schneider, mother of slain four year old Rowan Sweeney.

A community that's making the unthinkable loss of a child somewhat more bearable.
It's been than four months since gunfire took Sweeney's life during a robbery in Struthers.
Slowly but surely, Schneider's grief and loss of her son are turning into resolve and purpose.

"I just want justice. That's all I want, I want the proper justice for my son," says Schneider. "...everything being handled properly in the court system, legally, everybody just taking care of the situation and getting justice for who hurt my son.

When asked if she's confident that will happen, she replied "yes".

Schneider is taking on her own role in that quest for justice.
Aside from participating in fundraisers to build a park in Rowan's name, she says a bike run and toy drive in his name are also in the works.
She says a longtime personal goal will help her one day open a community center for kids.

"I want to go back to school, to college. I want to go into social work. I always had a dream of being an advocate, so what I want to do is go for my masters degree. That's what I'm going to do for myself and for Rowan, he always wanted me to go back to school."

Schneider's boyfriend Yarnell Green is also trying to make a physical and mental comeback from that awful night last September.
Eight bullets tore through his body as he tried to lure the gunman out a back door.
As he continues his recovery, he's grateful for a second chance at life.

"I don't want to go out, survive the bad part then die from a bad infection and it goes to my heart or something," said Green. "I need to focus on getting my body right."

Now, with the trial of Rowan's accused killer still months away and endeavors to keep her busy, Schneider is able to look forward to the light in the midst of the darkest night of her life.

"I just want to thank everyone in the community for coming together from the first day it happened, keeping us in their prayers, constantly showing the support for my family, for David, for everyone involved."