January 2021 Newsletter

Louisville Skyline, Muhammad Ali

January 2021 Newsletter

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy" - Martin Luther King Jr.

While much ink has been spilled over the challenges before us and the pressing uncertainty we still face, it is more important than ever to focus on one thing that is certain - the challenges of the previous year have made us resilient.  We have managed to be more flexible, inventive, and gritty just to get by.  While some are realizing that the new year did not bring the clean slate they hoped for, we know that building resilience is possible, and it will help us rise to the occasion. In light of this, let's take some time to highlight one project at OSHN that is working to do just that...


OSHN Spotlight: Louisville Trauma Resilient Communities Initiative (TRC)

The Office for Safe and Heathy Neighborhoods leads and funds multiple innovative programs. Our monthly OSHN spotlight aims to inform about difference-making initiatives across our city.

Louisville TRC Project

The TRC Initiative is a five-year, federal grant that is funded by SAMHSA and managed by the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods. It seeks to promote resilience and equity for Louisville’s youth and families disproportionately affected by trauma, race-based trauma, systemic inequities, violence, and civil unrest.  To do so, TRC has partnered with the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work, Seven Counties, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Spalding University's Collective Care Center.

This initiative will enhance leadership and capacity for organizations to sustain a trauma-informed system of care by increasing the knowledge and skills of personnel who make referrals and/or provide related services to youth and families. The project also looks to provide trauma-focused intervention services to children and families impacted by violence in south and west Louisville, where data shows that youth and families are disproportionately affected by trauma and systematic inequities.

The initiative is now entering year three of the five-year grant, and it has already seen progress.  Some of its accomplishments include the development of a community-engaged leadership advisory board, streamlining the referral and communication process for twelve backbone agencies, and developing trauma-informed language and practice amongst its partners.  Additionally, the TRC initiative has begun the ambitious task of training 200 clinicians in Evidence-Based Trauma interventions, 200 community Service Providers in Youth Mental Health First Aid, and offering 400 children and families trauma intervention. 

See more of the TRC Project’s goals in the below flyer or check out their launch video here

TRC Flyer

Upcoming Events


Suicide Prevention & Coping During Covid

Suicide Prevention & Coping During COVID

The Mayor's Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN) would like to invite you to be a part of the One Love Louisville Networking Night featuring our special guest from the Kent School of Social Work, Sara Williams MSSW, CSW.

January 26 is an opportunity for citizens to learn more about violence prevention efforts as well as find out about important resources and initiatives in our community.  Our Networking Night creates an environment for change agents to build a network of citizens as well as agencies involved in efforts to help prevent violence. It provides a space for continued development of violence prevention knowledge and resources. During this Networking Night, you will learn individual and collective efforts to prevent suicide and coping strategies during the age of COVID-19.


Register for Suicide Prevention & Coping During COVID


Monique Williams Virtual Town Hall

Virtual Town Halls are back, and they feature several incredible guests!  Starting January 28, OSHN Community Outreach coordinator Lavel White will feature weekly guests on the OSHN Instagram page for a live interview and opportunities for Q&A from the audience.  Be sure to tune in Thursday, January 28 at 6:00 PM when our very own Monique Williams, Director of The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, discusses Community Building. Come ready to learn and interact as Monique will be taking questions from the audience!

Stay Tuned for Upcoming Instagram Live Town Hall Events

February 9 at 1:00 PM - Trauma Informed Care discussion featuring SAMHSA Clinical Services Coordinator for OSHN, Kelsey Florence


Visit OSHN's Instagram Page on Jan. 28 at 6:00 PM


One Love Louisville Violence Prevention Training

One Love Louisville Violence Prevention Training

Turn your passion into action and learn the tools needed to make a difference in your community! Our next Ambassador Institute will be held on February 20, 2021. To adapt to the virtual platform, we have shortened the training.

Training will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will be trained in Mental Health 101, Suicide Prevention, Community Organizing, Conflict Resolution, and the Public Health Approach to Violence. Trainings will be led by experts from Seven Counties, the Kent School of Social Work, the Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, and more!

If you have ever wanted to join an institute, doing so is easier than ever! Register for the event below.


Register for the February Violence Prevention Training Here


Online Learning

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


Beyond Buzzwords: Metro United Way Speaker Series

White Fragility with Robin DiAngelo

Beyond Buzzwords is a Metro United Way speaker series on diversity, equity and inclusion that is designed to provide thoughtful and meaningful discussions about important topics that promote thinking as well as personal and institutional application.  Metro United Way's next installment of the series will feature Robin DiAngelo, New-York Times best-selling author of "White Fragility"

The event will take place on February 23, 2021 from 12:00 - 1:15 PM.  Register for the virtual event here.

How Community Land Trusts Can Advance Racial Equity in Our Cities

In the 1960s when African-Americans were commonly denied property rights, a form of land ownership began to popularize called Community Land Trusts.  Land is one of the most essential resources to discuss when ensuring equity within a community, and last month Mayor Fischer announced the most recent steps taken to launch a Community Land Trust in Louisville.  REBOUND, Bates CDC, River City Housing, and Center for Neighborhoods will partner with the Louisville-Jefferson County Landbank Authority to establish a Community Land Trust in Russell and Smoketown Neighborhoods.

See the history of Community Land Trusts, how they work, and why they can make permanent, affordable housing possible here.

First Community Land Trust in London

Meditation for Young Activists

Recently, an OSHN THRIVE Fellow shared that learning how to meditate changed his life.  That is the inspiration behind a new partnership between the Coalition Supporting Young Adults (CSYA) and the Earth and Spirit Center.  The Earth and Spirit Center is hosting weekly, virtual meditation classes starting Tuesday, Feb 9 that seek to train participants on the basics of meditation.  Even better, they are offering these classes FREE to young adult community activists, aged 18-35.  Just let them know you heard about the opportunity through their CSYA partnership!

The course is taught by a social worker with experience developing and facilitating trauma-sensitive mindfulness programs, and participants will learn how to practice mindfulness to meet the crisis we are facing now. Click here to learn more!

mediation

News and Announcements


Interfaith Remembrance Event for Victims of Gun Violence

Earlier this month, the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods partnered with Moms Demand Action, the Archdiocese of Louisville's Office of Multicultural Ministry, and over a dozen faith leaders  to remember lives lost to gun violence in 2020.  The Interfaith Remembrance event aimed to honor victims of homicide, suicide, and accidental shootings in our community this past year.  Speakers included Dr. Eddie Woods from No More Red Dots, Reverend Lori Kyle from the First Unitarian Church, Pastor David Snardon from Joshua Tabernacle Baptist Church, Cathy Mekus from Moms Demand Action, Mayor Greg Fischer, and many more.  The event also included songs from the Archdiocese of Louisville Gospel Choir and personal testimonies from those who have lost loved ones to violence.  Speakers were able to offer prayers and blessings as well as words of hope for the future.  

If you missed the live-streamed event, it can be viewed at the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods Facebook page here.

Seeking Input for Waterfront Park Expansion

Help shape the future of Waterfront Park's 22.5-acre expansion! PlayWorks at Waterfront Park is a collaboration with the Kentucky Science Center to bring hands-on learning outdoors!  To do so, they are soliciting feedback for their proposal on a 1.5-acre learning area to be located within the Waterfront Park expansion.

PlayWorks aims to celebrate our waterfront's rich history by using authentic objects as a catalyst for families and kids to make play out of work.  Visitors will have the opportunity to play and explore around real river and industrial artifacts, including turning a towboat propeller, moving a conveyor belt, and role-playing as an excavator operator. 

Playworks at Waterfront Park is seeking community input until January 29.  Review all the features that Playworks has to offer, and provide feedback with a short questionnaire here.

Over 70? You can sign-up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Here

Last week marked the beginning of Phase 1B of vaccine distribution in Louisville.  This means that we have completed the first vaccinations of all healthcare workers, medical first responders, long-term care staff and residents (Phase 1A).   Phase 1B consists of nonmedical first responders such as police and fire; corrections workers, education – grades K-12 as well as pre-K educators located in a school, and people 70 and older. 

The biggest development with Phase 1B means that  for the first time, the general public is eligible to sign up for the vaccine without being contacted through their employer.  Anyone who is 70 or older must sign up at the below link to be placed on the vaccine waitlist.  It is also critical that this information is shared with qualifying family, friends, and neighbors who may not be aware that they are eligible, or that action is required of them.

General Public 70+ Sign Up Here

This is a wonderful development to protect the most vulnerable in our society, and it is one step closer to our return to normalcy.  However, it will take weeks to get everyone in this category vaccinated so please be patient while you wait for your appointment.  

For details on the eligibility of each vaccine phase, click here.

MLK

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