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February 2022 Newsletter
OSHN is excited to share that The Office of Youth Development (OYD) is in the process of transitioning from the Office for Resilience and Community Services (RCS) to the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN). The goal is for Louisville Metro to have a comprehensive youth development system which includes violence prevention and intervention. In addition to linking with OSHN’s outreach and community engagement work, we will continue supporting opportunity youth ages 16 to 24, and will be expanding the Louisville Youth Network to ages 10 to 15. This development as well as the continued expansion of our existing work has led to several new positions available in our office. See which positions would be right for you and apply directly here!
Upcoming Events
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One Love Ambassador Training
Learn the tools needed to make a difference in your community! Our next Ambassador Training will be held in-person on Saturday, February 26th from 9:00am - 2:00pm and we will meet at the St. George Episcopal Church located at 1201 S. 26th Street.
Participants will be trained in Mental Health 101/Suicide Prevention, Stop the Bleed, Conflict Resolution, Domestic Violence Awareness, and The Public Health Approach to Violence. Join over 500 participants who have completed the training since its inception in 2017. If you have ever wanted to learn how you can get involved in violence prevention, this is your chance!
Registration below is required. Lunch will be served.
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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, March 29th at 6pm. This will be an in-person event held at the Main Louisville Free Public Library at 301 York Street.
We will hear from several OSHN partners including Russell Place of Promise, Restorative Justice and YMCA – Y-NOW.
Registration below is required. Food and Refreshments will be served.
For more info, contact Jacob.hazel@louisvileky.gov
Come learn, share, connect and #betheone to help create a safer Louisville.
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LFPL: Young Black Storytellers - Black History Month Mini Film Festival
Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 12:30pm-4:30pm the Western Louisville Free Public Library is hosting a Mini Film Festival located at 604 S. 10th Street.
The festival will feature 5 local films and will include a brief Q & A – moderated by Natalie Woods – with Lavel D. White & Brelin Tilford.
To learn more about the Mini Film Festival click here.
The Louisville Free Public Library is celebrating Black History all month long - check out other events here.
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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.
 The Marshall Project: A Deep Dive into Mass Incarceration
This article explores how prosecutors who aim to curb mass incarceration hit a roadblock: tough-on-crime lawmakers. While advocating for tough-on-crime laws are not new, the fight in Georgia highlights an emerging pattern across the country: Even when progressive prosecutors win voter support, establishment forces sometimes work to curb their power. From Virginia to Missouri to Texas, conservatives have backed bills allowing the state to take over cases local district attorneys choose not to pursue, undermining the ability of elected prosecutors to carry out reforms that led voters to support them in the first place.
Click here to read the full article.
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Kentucky Shifts from Coal to Prison Industry
Coal, Cages, Crisis examines how prisons have come to shape, and take shape in, Central Appalachia.
Judah Schept, a professor of justice studies at Eastern Kentucky, explores the impact of the prison industry on Eastern Kentucky/Central Appalachia. Schept explains while the growth of prisons and jails in the region during historic declines of coal production and employment point to the state’s strategy for resolving crises of urban and rural uneven development: criminalization and incarceration.
To read the full article, click here.
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Podcast by National Public Radio on Gun Violence
Treating Gun Violence As A 'Serious Public Health Threat' (14 minutes) This episode explores how gun control has been politicized and how it's had an impact on the country's ability to address gun violence.
Dr. Mark Rosenberg, founding director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, explains what this means to investigate the public health approach to gun violence.
Click here to listen to the full episode.
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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.
YALift! is Still Accepting Applications
YALift! is accepting applications until February 21st for a guaranteed income pilot program to empower young adults to forge their own path toward financial security.
To qualify, applicants must be 18 to 24 years old and live in the California, Russell or Smoketown neighborhoods,.
Qualifying applicants may receive $500/month guaranteed income for 12 months with no strings attached.
Application closes at 11:59 pm Monday February 21, 2022.
For more information and to apply, click here.
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Everybody Counts Program
Applications Now Open!
Everybody Counts is a new program that will help every Jefferson County Public Schools 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 participating companies, post-secondary enrollment or both.
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. Click here to access the 'Everybody Counts Student Guide'.
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Louisville Expungement Clinic Registration Form is Now Open!
Is your background a barrier? The Goodwill Industries of Kentucky are holding an expungement clinic on March 22nd at 909 E Broadway, 40204.
Expungement is how a record of criminal conviction is erased, destroyed or sealed from a state or federal record. An expungement order directs the court to treat the criminal conviction as if it had never occurred, essentially removing it from a defendant’s criminal record.
Registration is required, click here to register for the next Expungement Clinic in Louisville.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana is Seeking Mentors
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana (BBBSKY) BBBSKY is recruiting Bigs to serve as mentors for children in all of Louisville’s neighborhoods.
Volunteering 7 hours a month can give a young person the opportunity to see beyond their world, dream big, and reach their full potential!
Learn more about becoming a Big by attending a virtual Info Session on February 22, March 3, 15, 26, or the 30th or visit their website at BBBSKY.org.
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Whitney M. Young Job Corps' Doors Are Open
Job Corps is a government-funded program aimed to help eligible individuals 16-24 obtain their high school diploma or GED, if needed, along with a career certification for free.
The work-based learning program provides students with opportunities to link their career technical training with practical, on-the-job activities. Careers range from advanced manufacturing to healthcare. .
To learn more on how you can enroll or help a young person you may know enroll, click here to learn more or call us at 502-774-1886.
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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 are open and will close on Friday, April 1st, 2022.
Link scholarship application here.
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The YMCA Safe Place Y-NOW
Y-Now program is a mentoring program for children that have/had an incarcerated parent. Y-NOW is currently seeking mentors to support this amazing population.
For more information click here.
No experience is necessary, just heart and commitment. Training is provided. To learn more about volunteering with Y-NOW, call or email Brittany Leon at 635-4393.
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Kentucky Career Center Manufacturing Training Scholarships
The Kentucky Career Center is offering training scholarships in Manufacturing. Scholarships are available for machinist, welder, engineering technician, boilermaker, assembler and more.
For more information contact Monica Collins at monica.collins@kentuckianaworks.org or 502-388-3010
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Cycle Breakers, Breaking Chains
Cycle Breakers Breaking Chains assist youth transition to adulthood through education and mentorship to remove the barriers faced by at-risk adolescents.
Volunteer to get involved in helping your community solve the most important issue today.
Donate to help provide mentorship and education to at-risk youth.
Get involved and help make Louisville communities better.
For more information on this program or to learn how to get involved, visit http://cyclebreakers.org/
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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!
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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.
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Bosses Not Bangers
Bosses Not Bangers offers three core programs aimed to change the perspective of the youth in our community through mental health and entrepreneurial mentorship.
The Hindsight Project is an initiative that provides fiscal sponsorship and capacity building for community programs.
The Village is a collaboration with youth oriented agencies in order to provide programming that promotes youth development.
Social Media/Conflict Resolution aims to teach youth the understanding of the complexities of social media.
For more information on how to get involved, click here.
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NAMI Louisville: Crisis Text-Line
You are not alone. It's OK to not feel OK, but if those feelings become too much to handle on your own... Please reach out for help.
There are many options for national and local numbers to call on our website. The newest in the Crisis Line options are "text lines".
Not everyone feels comfortable calling a stranger and talking or even saying it out loud.
That's OK too. Text NAMI Lou to 741-741 and someone will answer who can help you when you need it most.
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Aspire 2 Be Counseling Services
The Aspire To Be Counseling team is growing! Licensed Professionals / Licensed Clinical Social Workers are encouraged to send their resume to victoria@aspire2becounseling.com
Aspire2Be Counseling offers in-person and telehealth counseling services for individual, family, group
counseling and case management.
For more information on the services they offer, please visit their website at: About - Apire2Be Counseling (aspire2becounseling.com)
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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 on their website at: https://sevencounties.org/referral/
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News and Announcements
Mayor Greg Fischer's 12th and Final State of the City Address
Mayor Greg Fischer delivered his 12th and final State of the City address today, reflecting on the many major accomplishments achieved over his tenure, and promising more ambitious work in 2022, including a pilot universal basic income initiative, an expansion of Lean Into Louisville and continuing efforts to recruit and retain quality Louisville Metro Government (LMG) staff, including those in public safety agencies.
“I am very pleased to report that the state of our city is strong. Together, we have achieved remarkable accomplishments in the face of daunting odds, and we have laid the foundation for even more dramatic progress in every Louisville neighborhood, for every Louisville family,” the three-term Mayor said, adding, “You have my commitment that I will be running through the finish line in this, my final year in office.”
Click here to watch Mayor Fischer's 2022 State of the City remarks.
Mayor Fischer, Louisville healthcare leaders reflect on COVID-19 pandemic racial equity efforts
Mayor Greg Fischer was joined by Dr. SarahBeth Hartlage, associate medical director at Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW), Dr. Edward Miller, chief diversity officer at UofL Health, Dr. Steven Patton, community medical director with the Institute for Health Equity, a part of Norton Healthcare, and Delanor Manson, CEO of the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA), to provide an update on COVID-19 and discuss racial equity and health in observance of Black History Month.
“Even before the pandemic arrived in Louisville, our city has long worked to understand the tragedy of racial health disparities,” Mayor Fischer said. “So, we went into the fight against COVID-19 with high awareness of the issue and knowing that the difference in life expectancy for Louisvillians who live near Shawnee Park in the west part of town is about 12 years fewer than Louisvillians who live by Tom Sawyer Park.”
For more information, click here.
Mayor Fischer, Metro Corrections Director address recent inmate death and efforts to improve conditions at the jail
On February 6th Mayor Greg Fischer visited the Metro Department of Corrections (DOC) to meet with Corrections Director Dwayne Clark and his leadership team following the overnight death of an inmate.
This is the sixth inmate death since November 9, 2021; the third this year. All cases are being investigated by LMPD’s Public Integrity Unit; one case is being investigated by the FBI.
“I’ve asked LMPD to accelerate their investigations,” said the Mayor. “If it is determined there is a pattern to these tragic recent deaths, we will open further investigations. We also have reached out to the State Medical Examiner to further expedite these investigations.”
Of the six recent deaths, half were determined to be caused by suicide. While visiting the jail today, the Mayor spoke with seasoned Corrections Officers who said that suicides in jails are not only tragic, but often unpredictable. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, jail deaths across the country have increased 33 percent between 2001-2019, with suicide being the leading cause of deaths in jails.
To read more on this story, click here.
City of Ali documentary airing nationwide on PBS stations in honor of Black History Month; KET shares film’s classroom curriculum
From the time of its first broadcast on Jan. 16, 2022, City of Ali has aired, or is scheduled to air, nearly 400 times on PBS stations, across 135 U.S. markets, serving more than 80 percent of the U.S. population.
In partnership with the Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Metro Government, and the creators of City of Ali, Jefferson County Public Schools Anti-Racist Specialists Aven Cook and Rachel Klein created, Honoring The Greatest Through City of Ali - A Comprehensive Curriculum Guide for Middle and High School Exploration, which includes lesson plans, writing and discussion prompts as well as learning targets geared toward specific Kentucky Academic Standards, all based on the film. The complete guide is available for teachers as a free download at cityofali.com/education.
Click here to watch the trailer of City of Ali.
City of Ali is also available on multiple streaming platforms. For more information, go to cityofali.com/streaming
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 Aliyah Granger.
Take care of each other.
#BeThe1
OSHN Team
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