The mother of a Mount Vernon cheerleader who was killed almost a year ago spoke with News 12 on what would have been her daughter's 17th birthday.

It was the first birthday Kayla Green's family and friends are celebrating since her death last April. Police say she was fatally stabbed by another teen after a day of citywide celebrations for the Mount Vernon boys’ basketball team.

On Monday, her family and friends came together to mourn at her gravesite in Valhalla. 

They also want to send a message about violence in Mount Vernon.

"It's hard. It's still a fresh wound to close. It will never close. I'm just able to cope with it day by day," says her mom, Lavern Gordon. 

"They got to clean it up, man. Mt. Vernon. You see what happened to my daughter. It's not getting better," said her dad, Marlan Green. 

Family members say they're upset to hear about the Mount Vernon teen killed last Thursday from gun violence.

They say more resources are needed in the city to de-escalate violence and better support for families.