December 2021 Newsletter

December 2021 Newsletter

Louisville Skyline, Muhammad Ali

The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods sends its deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the devastating tornadoes that took place during the weekend of December 11th-12th. Please click here to learn how you can support those who were affected in Western Kentucky. Governor Andy Beshear has established the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund to assist those impacted by the tornadoes, if you are able to donate please click here. Stay up to date: video press updates from Governor Beshear can be found here.


Upcoming Events


networking night

Networking Night

Networking Nights are an opportunity to get to know the change-agents doing the work in violence prevention. They provide a space to learn about volunteer opportunities, share your work, learn about resources, and connect with partners working to create a safer and more equitable Louisville.

Join us on Tuesday, January 25 at the Louisville Main Public Library at 301 York Street from 6-7:30pm

We will hear from several partners including Big Brothers Big Sisters, OSHN's Community Mobilization Initiative, and more.

Food and refreshments will be served, and registration below is required.  

For more info, contact Jacob.hazel@louisvileky.gov

Register Here
ToyDrive

Western Kentucky Toy Drive

Donations will be accepted until Saturday, December 18th. Click here for more information

Ages in need: Infant to teens
Eligible items: Toys, books, electronics and $25 VISA or MasterCard gift-cards

WestLou Holiday

West Louisville Holiday Festival 2021

This Saturday, Dec. 18th, 12:00 - 4:00PM at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, bring the family out for a fun-filled Holiday celebration! 

Activities include Christmas photos and selfie booth area, a Toy Workshop & Santa's Fun Land play area, Letters to Santa station, live entertainment & music, and so much more! 

Every 15 minutes there will be free turkey, ham, games and gift cards giveaways. With grand prize drawings of flat screen TVs and bicycles! 

This event is free and open to the public. 

1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40203

 

 

WinterWoods

Winter Woods Spectacular

Until the 26th of December visit the Winter Woods Spectacular to experience the drive-thru event of the year! Visit to enjoy the twinkling of millions of lights along a winding road, in the woods of historic Iroquois Park. 

Click here to purchase tickets. 

The gates open at 6pm every evening. 

The entrance to the event is 4800 New Cut Road at the intersection of New Cut and Southern Parkway

Youth BB

Youth Basketball League Sign Ups Open

Guardians with children aged 6 - 16 years old can now register for the JR. NBA Youth Basketball Leagues. The games are set to begin in January of 2022. 

The registration deadline is December 31st. Register below or call 502-456-3261. There is a $25 fee per player and transportation is not provided.

Games will be held at the following Community Centers:

-Southwick (3621 Southern Ave 40211)

-South Louisville (2911 Taylor Blvd 40208)

-California (1600 West St. Catherine St. 40210)

-Molly Leonard Portland (640 North 27th St 40212)

Register Here

Online Reading and Learning

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


header

This article explores how experts say training simulations are a key way to reduce the number of times police officers fire their weapons. The training can help police to slow their responses and look for other options while on patrol. Experts say the approach can be valuable so long as it feels realistic. The key is that the officer isn’t just learning de-escalation skills in a classroom but is acting them out, over and over, until they become second nature.

Click here to read the full article and to learn how the training is aimed at defusing tense situations officers may encounter on patrol. It does not fully address higher-risk scenarios like the raid in Louisville that led to the police shooting of Breonna Taylor. 

MayorsPodcast

The Mayor Greg Fischer Podcast

Episode 50 (24 minutes) - Violence Prevention 

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer is joined by Dr. Monique Williams, Director of Louisville Metro's Office for Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods, to discuss the city’s violence prevention and intervention programs and the public health approach to tackling violence.

This episode can be streamed for free on SoundCloud, click here to listen to the episode. 

TheTrace

New Data Suggests a Connection Between Pandemic Gun Sales and Increased Violence

This article explores data published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that  show how guns sold in 2020 were more likely to wind up at crime scenes within a year than in any previous period.

In March 2020, while the first COVID-19 outbreaks spread across the U.S., Americans flocked to gun stores. In total, civilians purchased some 19 million firearms over the next nine months. At the same time, shootings across the country soared, with dozens of cities setting grim new records for homicides. 

Was the surge in violence related to the increase in guns sold last year?  Click here to read the full article.

Public health on call podcast

Podcast by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 

Episode 333 (13 minutes) - Gun Violence Prevention: Interrupting Gun Violence in Urban Neighborhoods

This podcast explores efforts to disrupt the cycles of violence at Advance Peace through fellowship and focused deterrence. 

This episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify and YouTube. To learn more visit www.advancepeace.org 

DrTheTrace

Trauma Surgeon's Perspective on Treating Shooting Victims and Coronavirus Patients

This article outlines the experiences of a trauma surgeon in Chicago. Brian Williams relocated to Chicago to focus his work on gun violence victims at University of Chicago Medical Center in Hyde Park. Now he spends half his time treating coronavirus patients, while grappling with the role that race plays in both crises.

He explores the unique position he found himself in while working in Chicago. In a city that often logs the highest number of annual homicides, racial inequality and strained police relations are a bitter hallmark.

Click here to read the full article.


Community Board

Take a look at some of the latest news, resources, and events in the community.  Keep your community informed by sharing these with family, friends, and neighbors.


OSHN would like to thank everyone who joined us at our first in-person Ambassador training since February of 2020. Stay on the lookout for furthers way you can be involved in violence prevention in Louisville. Click here to watch a clip from the training. 


Keep Going Scholarship Application Now Open!

Russell: A Place of Promise, the Youth Resistance Collective, and the Community Foundation of Louisville have created a scholarship after Travis Nagdy, a 21-year-old social justice leader in Louisville who lost his life in late 2020.

The scholarship is named "Keep Going" in honor of his signature motto and is open to Black residents in West Louisville ages 17-24 that are enrolled in a post-secondary non-profit institution. Applications will open on December 13 and close on Friday, April 1st, 2022.

Link scholarship application here.

KeepGoingScholarship

Parents of Eligible JCPS Seniors: Applications for the Evolve502 College Scholarship are Open!

The Evolve502 Scholarship applications are now open for the Jefferson County Public Schools Class of 2022. The scholarships are for students who would like to attend any college in the Kentucky Community & Technical College System, including Jefferson Community & Technical College and Simmons College right here in Louisville. Scholarship recipients can pursue an associate degree, a professional certificate, or take 60 hours of credit tuition-free.

Click here to apply!

E502

Seven Counties Services 

Seven Counties Services offers 24/7 assistance in times of crisis and remains dedicated to providing quality services to our community.

Seven Counties has served 34,000 people in our community through  programs since 2019.

If you or someone you know struggles with mental health, substance use, or a developmental disability and is seeking help, please contact Seven Counties Services!

Any community member can also make a referral for services via our website at: https://sevencounties.org/referral/

SC resource

Trauma Resilient Community: Let's Heal Together

TRC is offering free AF-CBT and RTT counseling services to South and West Louisville residents.

What is AF-CBT? Alternatives for Families - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) is a trauma-informed treatment to manage grief, anger, anxiety, and stress. Learn how to solve problems effectively and address family conflicts.

What is RTT? Racial Trauma Therapy is an evidence-based intervention providing trauma-informed therapy to those who have experienced race-based trauma and stress.

For more information contact Nannette Dix at 502-612-0450.

TRCFlyer

'West of Ninth' & Beecher Terrace  Exhibit on Display at the Frazier History Museum

In partnership with “West of Ninth” bloggers Walt and Shae Smith, the West of Ninth: Race, Reckoning, & Reconciliation exhibit uses the blog as a catalyst to explore the historic roots of Louisville’s Ninth Street divide; delving into issues of race, segregation and redlining in the city.  The exhibit features artifacts excavated in Corn Island archaeology’s exploration of historic Black neighborhood Beecher Terrace, as well as other objects related to Black history in Louisville including the ongoing protests, alongside selections from the “West of Ninth” blog and Beecher Terrace documentary.  The exhibit is now on display at the Frazier History Museum.

Frazier History

Free At-Home COVID-19 Test

Residents of some Louisville areas can now order FREE rapid, at-home COVID-19 testing kits while supplies last. It’s part of a program called Say Yes! COVID Test sponsored by the Louisville department of Public Health.

Residents of eligible zip codes can get the test kits one of several ways:

-Calling the Lou Health Helpline at 502-912-8598

-Find a Community Pickup location by visiting www.covidhometestlouisville.org  

Eligible zip codes can be found here.

(Locations will be open for a limited time)

COVIDtesting

News and Announcements


Waterfront park2

Gov. Beshear to Propose $10 Million in Next Budget for Waterfront Park Expansion in West Louisville

On November 30th, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the upcoming budget proposal will include $10 million to support the Waterfront Park Phase IV expansion between 10th and 14th Streets in Louisville.

“For so many people in this city, Waterfront Park is not just a place, it’s an experience. It’s the backdrop for some of their happiest moments with family and friends,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s time that this experience is accessible to all members of the Louisville community. Let’s make sure these dollars stay in the budget and that we get this expansion done.”

The 22-acre park expansion will connect downtown and West Louisville along the waterfront. It will create a connected “One Waterfront” with the goal of fostering family waterfront recreational access all Louisville residents. 

To learn more about the Waterfront Park Phase 4 Expansion, visit ourwaterfront.org/about/phase-iv-expansion/.


Mayor Fischer announces water donation drive & other ways Louisvillians can help those impacted by storms in Kentucky

On December 12th, Mayor Fischer responded to the concern from Louisville residents about those impacted by the weekend storms and tornadoes in Western Kentucky. He announced a water donation drive and other ways that Louisville residents can help – and are already helping!

Click here to read more on how Louisville residents are supporting those affected in Western Kentucky.

To donate to the Western Kentucky Relief Fund, click here

To volunteer or give blood, visit The Red Cross at www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.


Gov. Beshear Announces ‘Everybody Counts’ Program to Help Every Jefferson County Public School Graduate Secure Pathway to College, Job or Both

On November 22nd, Gov. Beshear announced a new program that will help every Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) graduate who doesn’t currently have a plan for after high school graduation to secure one of three pathways: a job at one of four companies, post-secondary enrollment or both. - 'Everybody Counts.' 

The program will begin this school year and will be in place to assist the class of 2022.

Everybody Counts will help match graduates looking for jobs in the commonwealth with employers actively looking for young Kentuckians to fill roles within their companies. The four participating partner companies are Ford Motor Company, GE Appliances, Kroger and UPS. Nonprofit, higher education and labor partners supporting Everybody Counts include Evolve502, the Louisville Urban League, Simmons College of Kentucky and UAW Local 862.

Click here for more information on 'Everybody Counts'


Muhammad Ali Center Names the First Woman President and CEO: Marilyn Jackson

Marilyn Jackson will replace former president and CEO Donald Lassere, who stepped down earlier this year to become the president and CEO of The Chicago History Museum. Lassere led the Muhammad Ali Center for more than nine years.

"The Muhammad Ali Center is a great institution that combines exhibition-based experiences with compelling programming that fosters respect, hope, understanding and unity to advance the ideals of an equitable society," Jackson said.

To read the full article about Marilyn Jackson, click here.


HappyHolidays

Stay Connected!

There is great work happening here in the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, and most importantly, in our community. It is our goal to keep you engaged 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