This brief is adapted from notes taken by Documenter Monica Breedlove, who covered the Youth In Action: A Midwestern Dialogue on Building Peaceful Communities. Read more about what happened.
Violence prevention leaders from across the Midwest gathered last week to present wins and successes from violence prevention programming in their own cities.
The panel was presented by Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition and Indy Peace Fellowship as a part of their Collaborative Community Partner project. The event included members from Tru Colors Indy, a youth leadership and development organization.
What happened?
The panel featured representatives from the Midwest Violence Prevention Network. The panelists included:
- Reggie Moore, director of violence prevention, policy and engagement for the Medical College of Wisconsin Comprehensive Injury Center
- DeLisa Fountain, director of the Department of Neighborhood Arts and Citizen Engagement for the city of Lansing, Mich.
- Rena Shak, executive director of the Columbus, Ohio, Office of Violence Prevention
- Brooke Blakley, director of the St. Paul, Minn., Office of Neighborhood Safety
They began by citing the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy saying that gun violence is a public health crisis. Each panelist shared wins and initiatives happening in their communities.
Moore said organizations should focus on youth as a whole — not only emphasizing youth who are in trouble.
Shak said the City of Columbus has funded programs in local community spaces to allow youth to stay in their neighborhoods. Youth were encouraged to participate in opportunities even if they were not enrolled in school. She said Columbus also created an anonymous gun buyback program.
Tru Colors Indy youth asked about the relationship between law enforcement and violence prevention organizations.
Blakey said they have organized walks and talks with police officers and families who have previously been detained. She said youth and officers have guided conversations regarding previous interactions to bring restoration.
Moore said in Wisconsin, officers have arranged conversations in barber shops to engage in a new way.
DeLisa said the City of Lansing received funding to create the Lansing 360 program, a weekly call where law enforcement and violence prevention representatives share updates on their work. She said neighbors are welcome to attend and share their thoughts.
Takeaway
Dwayne Moment, Vantage Point Children and Family Center intake leader said, “It’s important to ensure we are meeting the needs and interests of students before high school.”
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