July 2020 Newsletter

Louisville, Muhammad Ali Center

July 2020 Newsletter

When the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods was established in March of 2013, it held the distinction of being the only Louisville government office established out of community concern and need. Since then, we have worked toward a vision of a safer Louisville while focusing on the root causes of violence in order to create sustainable change that enhances protective factors and prevents violence before it occurs. While millions across the country begin to reimagine what public safety looks like, we are excited to elevate our work with the passing of the 2020-2021 fiscal budget.  Over the next year, we look forward to continuing to provide evidence-based initiatives and programs to ensure Louisville residents feel secure, supported, free of violence, and prepared for lifelong success. 


Virtual Events this Month


Race-Based Trauma (RBT) Virtual Panel is Tomorrow!

We invite you to our third Race-Based Trauma Panel on Wednesday, July 29. RBT Virtual info sessions will meet the following objectives as well as provide a space to ask questions and engage with our speakers:

  • Provide definitions for racism and micro-aggressions
  • Define race-related stress
  • Explore the experience of racial trauma and its impact on psychological, physical, and relational health
  • Highlight tools to prevent the negative experience of racial trauma

The Collective Care Center is a proud partner of the Trauma Resilient Community initiative which aims to provide healing centered work to clinicians, community service providers, children and families.

Race-Based Trauma Panel

Register for July's Race-Based Trauma Panel Here!


One Love Louisville Ambassador Institute #18

One Love Louisville Virtual Ambassador Institute

Turn your passion into action and learn the tools needed to make a difference in your own community! Our next Ambassador Institute will be August 22, 2020. In an effort to adapt to the virtual platform, we have shortened the institute. Training will take place from 9:30AM-12:30PM. Participants will be trained in Mental Health 101, Suicide Prevention, Community Organizing, Conflict Resolution, and the Public Health Approach to Violence. If you have ever wanted to join an institute, doing so is easier than ever! Registration for the event can be completed here.

 


Register for August's Ambassador Institute Here


Volunteers Needed for Ambassador Workgroup!

This past April, our office reached out to more than 200 participants who went through the Ambassador Institute. After speaking with countless involved citizens who continue to impact their community, the necessity for continued involvement and guidance from our violence prevention champions was clear.

Our office is now in the preliminary stages of re-establishing an Ambassador Workgroup made up of concerned citizens who have completed the Ambassador Institute and are already doing great work in their own neighborhoods. This workgroup would provide insight and support to the One Love Louisville Ambassador Program and engage in other community projects. Together, we will establish the capacity and scope of the group through monthly meetings (virtually for now). If you have been looking to get more involved or want to share your expertise and ideas, this is your chance!  

Join us for our first meeting on Thursday, August 6 from 7 - 8 PM. For more information, or to join the Ambassador Workgroup, please email joseph.newland@louisvilleky.gov.


Online Reading

With limited trainings and in-person gatherings, here are some interesting learning opportunities to continue to grow and develop our collective understanding of violence.

Louisville's Redlined Neighborhoods

How Industrial Zoning and Vacant Properties Dominate Neighborhoods Within Redlined Communities

Vacant and abandoned properties are prevalent in many red-lined neighborhoods in Louisville today.  Explore the Center for Neighborhood's "Map of the Month" and see for yourself how bad policy has the potential to affect communities decades later.

eBooks from NextCity

NextCity has a variety of eBooks spanning across all things urbanism. Food security, urban planning, architecture, gentrification, and many more topics focusing on equitable solutions can be found in short eBooks available for download.


Announcements


Civilian Review Board is Underway

In the two months since it's announcement, not only is the Civilian Review Board becoming a reality, they have been hard at work. On May 27, the names of the thirty-three representatives who will serve on the group were released. Members include faith leaders, law enforcement representatives, community advocates and elected officials from across the Louisville community. The workgroup has now met three times since its inception. 

The purpose of the Civilian Review Board is to provide additional layers of review during police-involved shootings, incidents involving loss of life due to police action, abuse of authority, excessive use of force, and in-custody deaths. However, in order to properly provide another checkpoint for accountability, the Civilian Review Board must have the legal authority to have true, civilian oversight.  One important step toward this is to draft an ordinance outlining any legislative proposals. The ordinance is still being drafted, but it is tentatively scheduled to be read by Metro Council on August 20, 2020. 

A website has been set up for the public to track progress, see meeting notes, view the current ordinance draft, and provide feedback which can be viewed here.

 

SummerWorks Youth Fellowship

In response to the outstanding youth leadership in the midst of civil unrest, SummerWorks has partnered with the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods to provide a paid fellowship for 25 youth in our city. Youth and young adults, aged 16-21, will be charged with reviewing systems of structural racism. While being provided research and guidance through the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, participants will work on compiling a report to Mayor Fischer on ways to make Louisville a more peaceful, just, compassionate, and equitable city. Youth will also partner with local and national leaders to gain additional insight and leadership development. While the fellowship will only last for seven weeks, the impact of their research and personal development has the potential to be groundwork for future policy and leadership.

"It has become abundantly clear over the past few weeks that the youth in our city want to be involved in the serious transformation we know we need in our city and nation to end structural racism and build an equitable community. This SummerWorks fellowship will provide a space for that, along with a summer paycheck", said the Mayor.

 

Youth Implementation Team (YIT) is Now Accepting Applications

Our One Love Louisville Youth Implementation Team looks to wrap up their 2019-2020 year and we could not be more proud of all they have achieved. While we are saddened to see them go, we are excited to welcome in a new group of youth and young adults to serve as the youth advisory council to Mayor Fischer. Each year, youth work to create a city of safe neighborhoods through civic engagement and advocacy. Members will receive:

  • Insight Into local government
  • Leadership development skills
  • The opportunity to meet leaders throughout Government, Community, Faith and Corporate organizations through various events and activities
  • Knowledge of city violence prevention efforts
  • The opportunity to have voices, thoughts and opinions heard
  • Resume building experiences
  • Ability to inform and impact others on a large scale
  • 40+ community service hours

The deadline for completing this application is August 28, 2020. Applicants must be Jefferson County residents aged 14-24. If you have any questions, please contact Maryam.ahmed@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-1903. To apply for the Youth Implementation Team, please click here. 

Breonna Taylor Mural

Stay Connected!


There is great work happening here in the office, and most importantly, in our community. It is our goal to keep you engaged, involved and co-leading our important work. Our vision for Louisville is a city of safe neighborhoods where everyone is supported, free of violence, and prepared for lifelong success. We can only achieve this together, so stay connected with our monthly newsletters, social media, and visit our website for more information and additional calls to action

Past OSHN Newsletters can be viewed here.


We would love your feedback. If you have questions or concerns regarding our newsletter, or have a related event that you would like to communicate with our networks, contact Joe Newland.

Take care of each other.
#BeThe1

OSHN Team