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October 2022 Newsletter
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Paul Callanan Appointed OSHN Director
Mayor Greg Fischer announced this month that Paul Callanan has assumed the director’s position at OSHN. His appointment took effect October 3, 2022. Callanan has served as OSHN’s Assistant Director for Programs since August 2021 and succeeds Dr. Monique Williams who now transitions to OSHN’s Senior Advisor through December 15, 2022. Callanan has more than 30 years of experience in the social science and criminal justice fields and has broad professional experience developing comprehensive solutions related to complex community violence issues. Read more here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Ambassador Training
The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN) would like to invite you to be a part of the next One Love Louisville Ambassador Training Saturday October 15, 2022. This is an opportunity for citizens to help us create a safer Louisville through safe and effective interventions taught by experts in Stop the Bleed, Conflict Resolution, Mental Health 101, Domestic Violence Awareness, The Public Health Approach to Violence, and Community Organizing.
Join us on Saturday October 15, 2022 at the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA. This will be an in-person event, and food and refreshments will be served!
Contact jacob.hazel@louisvilleky.gov for questions.
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Men of Color Mental Health Focus in October
Men of color and of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds face added challenges when looking after their mental health. Added risk factors include a higher exposure to poverty and violence, the lack of economic opportunities and higher rates of incarceration.
Added to that is the cultural stigma that “real men” don’t ask for help. “It’s a double whammy,” said Nannette Dix, program manager of OSHN’s Trauma Resilient Communities (TRC).
She said men of color face unique challenges that can manifest as substance use and abuse and acting out through aggression. “It’s a continuation of a cycle,” she said.
During October, TRC will reserve sessions for men of color who seek mental health help. Aa always, the sessions are free, confidential, and unlimited. To access, an in-person or telehealth session, they would call 502-901-0100.
All residents of Louisville can access the number and receive free mental health counseling and guidance.
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AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT
OSHN offers multiple avenues for civic engagement to help move this important work forward. We aim to highlight these partners, referred to as Violence Prevention Ambassadors.
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The Smoketown Implementation Team purchased 15 "Stop the Bleed" kits to display strategically in community spaces. The kits were placed in bright red, first-aid bags designed to be visible in an emergency.
Residents and stakeholders attended a free, educational training hosted by Darwin Belliard, owner of Direct Intervention Group. Participants were taught how to recognize a bleeding emergency and how to perform life-saving actions such as applying direct pressure, packing a wound with gauze, using a tourniquet, and keeping both themselves and a trauma victim safe in an emergency.
For more information on upcoming trainings, contact Darwin Belliard
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For more information about joining one of the Anti-Violence Coalition meetings in Russell, Shawnee, Smoketown, Newburg, Parkhill, and Portland please contact tonesha.hearn@louisvilleky.gov or learn more information here.
NEWS RELATED TO VIOLENCE REDUCTION
 At the end of September, the House passed H.R.4118 - Break the Cycle of Violence Act, led by Community Justice champion Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV), authorizing $5 billion in federal grant funding for Community Violence Intervention strategies. This historic legislation will increase federal funding for hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIP), evidence-based street outreach programs, behavioral therapy for those most at risk to violence, and other types of community-led violence intervention and prevention programs. The bill must still be passed in the Senate. Learn more about this bill here.
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The Construction of a Multi-use development making progress in Portland Neighborhood
Construction of a new development is moving forward near Lytle and 15th Street. The development will turn three masonry and warehouse buildings into 71 market-rate residential units and more than 37,000 square feet of commercial space. It will have views of downtown Louisville, an outdoor courtyard between two of the buildings, and a parking lot for businesses and residential tenants. Read more about Painter's Row here.
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New app connecting Louisville houseless directly to people who want to help
A new mobile app rolled out in Louisville will now connect the homeless population directly to people who want to help them. It is called the Samaritan app. It allows those who are unhoused to set up a profile, share their story and barriers they face, and lets people donate money directly to them. Case managers with selected nonprofits in Louisville can offer people a Samaritan "membership." From there, a person who is unhoused will create a profile. A person interested in helping can scroll through the profiles and donate directly to their individual need, such as bus fare or money for a storage space. Read more
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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
Smoketown Trunk or Treat
Smoketown Family Wellness Center is hosting a Trunk or Treat event. It event will take place on October 27, 2022 at 760 S Hancock Street from 5pm to 7pm.
The Smoketown Wellness Center invites you and your organization to join in the fun. There will be giveaways for youth! This is a family-friendly event and costumes are encouraged. Youth must be accompanied by an adult!
If you are interested in setting up a table or volunteering, please email rcoleman@smoketownwellness.org
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WesFest
To celebrate the fall season, Wesley House presents their annual fall event, WesFest. Please join the fun on October 28, 2022 at 5114 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40213 on Friday, October 28, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. No registration is required.
There will be games, face painting, a costume contest, live music, and plenty of treats. This is a family-friendly event!
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Books & Basketball
Delta Foundation has had hundreds of youth and young adults participate in their Books and Basketball program over the years. The goal is developing educated leaders through athletics while pairing participants with a tutor.
Each Tuesday from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm youth in 1st-5th grade can receive reading and literacy tutoring followed by basketball instruction. This is a six week program. Please RSVP at deltainc502@gmail.com
If you are interested in volunteering as a tutor, please contact the above email.
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Would You Like to SAVE A LIFE?
Save A Life was developed as an innovative way of reducing gun violence in communities that bear the brunt of gun violence. Save A Life offers the following evidence-based prevention trainings free to community partners: firearm safety skills such as safe storage and gun handling techniques, suicide prevention with Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) and
Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM), and STOP THE BLEED®.
Whitney/Strong hosts several trainings a year. To find out about upcoming events, contact Danea Cloyd at Danea@whitstrong.org
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Project Warm Needs Volunteers for November Blitz
Project Warm delivers free weatherization and energy conservation services to low-income households, seniors, and the disabled living in Jefferson County. With cold temperatures arriving, Project Warm will need volunteers to serve hundreds of families this November.
There are two opportunities to volunteer. On November 5, Project warm is in need of 100 volunteers to pick up and drop off supplies at homes in Louisville. On November 12, volunteers are needed to install weatherization kits for seniors and/or people with disabilities
A free boxed breakfast will be provided to volunteers. Scan the QR codes to the right to register or email courtney@projectwarm.org for more information.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana is Seeking Mentors
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana (BBBSKY) is recruiting "Bigs" to serve as mentors for children in all of Louisville’s neighborhoods! You have a BIG opportunity in front of you— to not only impact a child’s life today— but to transform their potential for tomorrow.
IT TAKES TWO! Two people- the mentor and the child, one year commitment, two outings per month, two total hours per month! This is a powerful way to make a difference in a young person's life that will affect them for years to come! For more information on how to become a "Big", click here or scan the QR code to learn more.
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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor joins Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Metro Council members to announce recipients of American Rescue Plan funding for seven affordable housing projects
Mayor Greg Fischer, Metro Council members and Christie McCravy, Executive Director of the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, today announced seven projects to be funded by $40 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars – adding almost 300 affordable housing units specifically for households at or below 30% of area median income.
“That brings the total we have spent on affordable housing during my administration to $116 million, including more than $97 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund – a record number that is funding transformational work, saving and changing lives throughout our city,” the Mayor said.
McCravy said the projects being funded are:
- Volunteers of America/Beargrass Development: $950,000 to build the 80-unit Bland Street Apartments, an affordable housing project that will include 20 units designated for permanent supportive housing.
- Housing Partnership Inc: $4.8 million to convert a vacant warehouse at 1405 W. Broadway that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places into a mixed-use development providing 111 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments for seniors, along with one floor of commercial and office space.
- LDG Development LLC: $4 million to build The Eclipse, a 280-unit apartment community serving working class families in the Russell neighborhood of west Louisville, including former Beecher Terrace residents.
- Louisville Metro Housing Authority: $11.8 million to build the 60-unit, three-story Iroquois Senior Living Community.
- New Life Directions Ministry: $4.4 million to build and operate 20 permanent supportive housing units for homeless single mothers and their children. River City Housing Inc. will be the project developer.
- REBOUND Inc.: $5.2 million to build Portshaw, a 38-unit affordable housing development on a vacant parcel in the Shawnee neighborhood.
- Wellspring Ky.: $8.2 million to purchase and rehab existing multi-family properties, and provide 50 new units of affordable housing along with supportive services.
Continue Reading Here
Louisville providing free training to help identify and prevent human trafficking
Louisville is inviting professionals and community leaders, including those working in violence prevention, housing, youth services, social services, healthcare, education and law enforcement, to attend a two-part training series to combat human trafficking and better support survivors.
The Office for Women (OFW) is hosting the training series in collaboration with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness’ (LMPHW) Center for Health Equity, the Bakhita Empowerment Initiative of Catholic Charities and the Trauma Resilient Communities Project of the Office for Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods. The training sessions will educate organizations on how to identify human trafficking, the importance of trauma-informed care and survivor engagement. The training series is made possible by funding through Metro United Way.
“Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states and is a public health concern. When systems fail residents, they are more vulnerable to trafficking,” said Rebecca Hollenbach, executive administrator at the Center for Health Equity (CHE). “Between 2013 and 2020, 222 child trafficking incidents were reported in Jefferson County, and around 1,400 incidents were reported in Kentucky.”
Continue Reading Here
APPLY HERE!
WE WOULD LOVE TO TABLE YOUR EVENT
OSHN’s mission is to reduce the risk of violence in all of Louisville’s communities. If you have an event or festival that we can table and share what the city is doing to holistically reduce violence and how it affects you and our community - We Want to Come! Please just click HERE to fill out our tabling request form or go to the website at Office for Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods | LouisvilleKY.gov We’ll look forwarding to meeting you.
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 Joseph Newland.
Take care of each other.
#BeThe1
OSHN Team
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