|
March 2021 Newsletter
March is a time to recognize women for their trailblazing contributions in history, culture, and policy. In Louisville, this month also marks the grim anniversary of the death of Breonna Taylor. Her legacy has already led to significant policy changes across the country with several states adopting a ban on no-knock warrants. Outside of Louisville, however, the passing of Breonna's Law has stalled at the state level. This March, please help honor the legacy of Breonna Taylor by advocating for House Bill 21, which will ensure that this senseless act of violence is not repeated.
OSHN Spotlight: REimage
The Office for Safe and Heathy Neighborhoods partners with multiple innovative programs. Our monthly OSHN spotlight aims to inform about initiatives across our city that are making a difference.
|
|
|
|
 |
REimage is a partnership between Kentuckianaworks and the Louisville Metro Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods that offers a second chance for young adults age 16 -24 who have been involved in the court system. REimage provides assistance with career training, GED prep, enrolling in college, finding a good job, navigating the court system, transportation, and more!
Participants are paired with professional case managers and mentors who help clients meet their goals. REimage staff can assist participants in educational attainment such as GED prep, completing the FAFSA, and enrolling in college. They can also assist with employment services such as interview prep, writing a resume, internships, and many professional opportunities through the Kentucky Youth Career Center. REimage also prepares youth and young adults for success after their program by focusing on empowerment and skills needed to meet long-term goals. Youth Empowerment Services include leadership development opportunities, money management and expungement services.
There is no cost to participate in the REimage program, and youth and young adults from all areas of Louisville can participate. For more information about services, visit the REimage website here.
Youth Needed for TRC Community Advisory Board
 The Trauma Resilient Communities Initiative is looking for youth and young adults, aged 16-24 to serve on their Community Advisory Board. Participants will meet virtually to track progress on the TRC goals and initiatives. The 3-5 hour commitment per month pays $20/hr and provides excellent experience. Most importantly, participants will know they are making a difference in their community! The TRC Team is taking applications until March 31, 2021.
Team members will engage in the following:
- Serve as a TRC ambassador by spreading awareness of the project and engaging future community members and partners in the work of the project
- Provide input regarding how to best engage the community in the work of the project, with a focus on engaging youth and other underserved community members
- Identify and address barriers for accessing trauma-informed services
- Co-develop a trauma-informed behavioral health inventory guide
- Participate in regularly scheduled meetings
- Participate in trauma-informed training opportunities offered by the project, as available
Compensation:
- Youth members will be compensated hourly for their participation- members are asked for a 3-5-hour monthly commitment
- Members will be compensated $20 per hour.
Requirements:
- Completion of this application and follow-up interviews
- At least 16 years old AND no older than 24 years of age (*under 18 will require parental consent)
- West or South Louisville resident
Upcoming Events
 |
|
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 April 24, 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.
|
 |
|
Violence Prevention Town Halls
Virtual Town Halls are back, and they have already featured 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.
This series is designed to engage the community in violence prevention efforts and provide resources to be a part of the solution.
Be sure to tune in March 18 at 6:00 PM when Keneth Rhodes, THRIVE Fellow graduate, discusses Community Building. Come ready to learn and interact as Keneth will be taking questions from the audience!
See the full schedule for this series below.
|
Past Interviews
January 28 - Community Building discussion with Monique Williams, PhD (c), MPH, Director of OSHN
February 9 - Trauma Informed Care discussion with Kelsey Florence, MSSW, SAMHSA Clinical Services Coordinator [see recording on OSHN's Instagram page]
February 25 - Community Building discussion featuring Mayor's Youth Implementation Team Member, Nigel Blackburn [see recording on OSHN's Instagram page]
March 5 - Education discussion featuring JCPS Chief of Communications and Community Relations, Renee Murphy [see recording on OSHN's Instagram Page]
Upcoming Interviews
March 18 at 6:00 PM - Criminal and Juvenile Justice discussion with Kenneth Rhodes, THRIVE Fellow graduate
April 8 at 6:00 PM - Land Code Reform conversation on FB Live, featuring Emily Liu, Director of Planning and Design Services with Codes and Regulations
April 13 at 1:00 PM - Health and Social Wellness discussion featuring Karen Udoh, UofL medical student
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.
 For decades, Oakland's reputation has been synonymous with gun violence. In 2012, they even earned the unwelcome distinction as the "third most dangerous city in America." That same year, in the midst of another uptick in violence, they adopted a new approach. Their new initiative, known as Oakland Ceasefire, focused on building trust with those most likely to be involved in violence and investing in supportive services for them. Oakland, which saw 126 homicides in 2012, experienced only 72 homicides five years later (46% reduction). Over the same span, Oakland saw non-fatal shootings reduced from 556 victims/year to 277 victims/year (49% reduction). Oakland Ceasefire also reports improved police-community relations, increased connectivity amongst community partners, and a 65% reduction in armed robberies.
While law enforcement continued to target those unwilling or unable to disengage in violence, they found that most people were eager to pursue education, employment, and housing goals. While the cost of supportive services can sometimes be significant, even a single shooting can be costlier. As noted by the City of Oakland, the typical response to a shooting involved eight different governmental agencies providing resources such as emergency response, investigation, hospitalization, incarceration, and a trial. Additionally, the healthcare and the economic burden were extraordinary. To learn more about Oakland's strategy, read a 2018 report detailing program specifics and outcomes.
West Louisville TIF
Less than one month ago, bipartisan state lawmakers filed legislation called the “West End Opportunity Partnership,” that would designate a TIF, Tax Increment Financing, in Louisville's west-end. Proponents say the initiative will boost economic development in Louisville's nine west-end neighborhoods, while many are concerned the initiative could springboard gentrification without protecting renters. To discuss the potential impacts of this, Russell: A Place of Promise hosted Aaron Jackson, Haven Harrington, and Councilman JeCorey Arthur who gave much-needed insight on the potential impacts and risks of the proposed 30-year TIF.
See their conversation here.
|
|
 |
FY 2021-22 Budget Discussion
The time of year is upon to discuss the annual budget. The FY 2021-22 budget will be proposed by Mayor Fischer on April 22. While this process has sometimes seemed complex and inaccessible to citizens, the challenges of this past year have made understanding how the budget works even more important. Though a few years old, The People's Guide to the Budget, compiled by Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, is a good overview for understanding how the budget process works.
Also, check out the Virtual Budget Town Hall from Metro Council Representatives in districts 1-7. The virtual meeting discusses how the budget process works and priorities for each district. View the recording here, and remember to advocate to your council member how you want your tax dollars spent.
|
|
 |
Six more local organizations will receive training through Louisville’s Trauma Resilient Community project
Six more community partners are receiving training in the Trauma Resilient Community (TRC) Model to promote resilience and equity for Louisville families and young people most affected by race-based trauma, community violence, and civil unrest in west and south Louisville.
As a part of this project funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma (ReCAST) Grant, six agencies were selected to receive training and support to implement the Trauma Resilient Community (TRC) Model within their agencies. The agencies joining the project are Backside Learning Center, Boys & Girls Haven, Change Today Change Tomorrow, Hope Collaborative, La Casita Center, and Survivor’s Corner.
The Trauma Resilient Community Project, led by Metro’s Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN), uses a community-based approach to build a trauma-informed system of care to better serve children and families affected by trauma. This training will help develop the knowledge and skills of people who respond to, make referrals, and provide services to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
“It's important that our community partners can understand, recognize, and respond to the effects of trauma within a culture that promotes empowerment, safety, and healing for residents,” said OSHN Director Monique Williams. “As a city, we are in desperate need of healing from many recent traumatic events over this past year, so we are excited and grateful to partner with these six new agencies that will be a part of that healing process for many of the children and families across our city.”...
Read the full story here.
Ambassador Institute Surpasses 500 Participants
With the conclusion of the 21st Ambassador Institute last month, the One Love Louisville Ambassador Program has now hosted 503 participants. We wanted to take a moment to thank every concerned citizen who has attended one of our trainings over the years. Your involvement is the best part of these trainings and is instrumental to our goal of creating a safer Louisville. It is our hope that your experience with the institute helped shed light on the root causes of violence and provided you with the tools and knowledge to take part in addressing it.
To commemorate this milestone, we want to highlight some of the incredible work our Ambassadors have been doing across our city. Did you volunteer at a community center, lead a park clean-up, or start a neighborhood association? There are countless ways to get involved in our community to make an impact. Maybe our training gave you the tools to connect a neighbor with mental health resources, recognize early signs of suicide, and/or it helped you resolve a conflict peacefully. Sharing these stories can show others how easy it is to make a difference! That is why we want to highlight YOU on our website, newsletter, or through other media. Big or small, simply let us know the awesome things you’ve been up to! Remember, you have the potential to inspire the next group of 500 Ambassadors as we continue to build on existing violence prevention work. We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact us at joseph.newland@louisvilleky.gov or sign up for the next training here.
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
|
