December 2022 Newsletter
AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT
OSHN offers multiple avenues for civic engagement to move this important work forward. Here we highlight Ambassadors, our partners
Iroquois High School Students Complete Ambassador Training
Throughout the Fall semester, the Black Achievers and Justice Now clubs at Irouois High School have combined for a focus on violence prevention. The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods has joined these clubs every other Friday morning throughout the semester to teach practical tools to reduce violence such as Stop the Bleed and Conflict Resolution. In addition, students were invited to be involved in National Youth Violence Prevention Week (hosted by OSHN every spring). They gained valuable insights into the city's comprehensive approach towards violence reduction while learning about the public health approach to violence.
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NEWS RELATED TO VIOLENCE REDUCTION
 According to CDC statistics, accidental shootings account for just 1 percent of overall gun deaths, and they’re the 15th leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Digging deeper reveals that while the rate of overall gun deaths in the U.S. is nearing all-time highs, the rate of accidental shooting deaths has actually dropped in the last 25 years - with the exception of one alarming trend - an increase in accidents involving toddlers. Read the story here.
Mayor-elect Greenberg announces Louisville's interim police chief
Mayor-elect Craig Greenberg has picked Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel to be the interim chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department when he takes over in January. Gwinn-Villaroel, who currently serves as second-in-command, will step into the top LMPD job after Chief Erika Shields resigns on Jan. 2, the day Greenberg takes office. "My goal is to dismantle the walls of distrust that have taken over this city," Gwinn-Villaroel said during a press conference Friday afternoon Read more here.
Photo credit Matt Stone/Courier Journal
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BE THE ONE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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YES! is Looking for Volunteers Who Know How to Get to the Essence
Grants season is gearing into full swing and the YES! division of the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods needs critically thinking individuals to help evaluate grant applicants.
YES! is Youth Engagement Services and works to transform social and government systems that systematically repress the youth voice and their rights to lives equitably lives. Volunteers will review applications from vendors and services that work to reduce the chances of any Louisville youth becoming a victim of violence and that challenge systematic barriers youth face.
Evaluators will look for particular traits in an applicant’s program, i.e., the program’s impact on youth, if the program fits targeted needs, what are the program’s risks and opportunities, among others. Volunteers should be critical, objective and have an interest in the community and our youth. A knowledge of grant processing is preferred but not required. To apply, contact: Bethany Olson at 502-574-6884 or email at Bethany.Olson@louisvilleky.gov.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
West Louisville Holiday Festival
The West Louisville Festival is free and open to the public! Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 12pm-4pm at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage at 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
There will be vendors, a toy workshop, Christmas photos, a holiday market, selfie booth, games and food. There will also be live entertainment including a performance from The Real Young Prodigy's, the Louisville Orchestra, and local dance teams.
For sponsorships, youth performances, or questions, please contact Donna McDonald at donna@mycaa.com
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4th Street Live Chanukah Celebration
Come downtown and join us for the Chanukah Celebration Sunday December 18, 2022 at 5pm. Located at Sports & Social Club on 4th Street live, this special event is open to the public and inclusive to our Jewish community within the greater Louisville area.
Activities include Bowling, Bounce House, Chocolate Gelt, Music, Singing, Dancing, Driedels, Sufganiot, Latkas, Gift Menorahs. Special guests Mayor Fischer and Mayor Elect Greenberg will be in attendance! Free Admission to the general public, for more information please call Rabbi Chaim at 502-442-2208
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Spanish Ambassador Training
For the first time, OSHN will conduct it's One Love Louisville Ambassador Training in Spanish on Saturday January 21, 2023 at Saint Rita Catholic Church at 8709 Preston Highway. This is an opportunity for our Hispanic/Latino communities to help us create a safer Louisville. Training is taught by experts in Stop the Bleed, Conflict Resolution, Mental Health 101, Domestic Violence Awareness, The Public Health Approach to Violence, and Community Organizing. Contact jacob.hazel@louisvilleky.gov for questions. Registration is required, please register below.
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Interfaith Night of Remembrance Event
Individuals tragically lost to violence in Louisville this year will be recognized at “Night of Remembrance,” a yearly, interfaith event that reminds us violence is preventable, senseless and can have long-term community repercussions. The event is open to the public and the name of each local violence victim will be spoken and a candle lit in their remembrance. We are working to have this event lived-stream, so please visit our website here and navigate to the Events Page.
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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
It’s been a long-time coming. But starting in January 2023, Louisville’s youth voice will be a functioning inclusion in metro government. Each metro council member will work directly with a youth from their district ensuring the youth voice is included in local government. The applicant process started in September 2022, followed by interviews with YES! and concluding with recommendations to each metro council member. These youth, age 16-24, will meet monthly to discuss their insights and needs as young citizens demanding equality and social justice. We look forward to how they will work to help ensure Louisville’s youth thrive in an equitable and inclusive community that will lead them to a purposeful future.
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Southwick Community Center Tutoring Available
University of Louisville Sports Medicine presents "We Got Next Mentoring" every third Saturday of the month from 10am-1pm at the Southwick Community Center. Kids from third to seventh grade are encouraged to join for FREE.
Tutoring, lunch, sports, and mentorship will be available. Sports include baseball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, art, theater, and more.
Scan the QR code or click here to register.
For questions, contact wegotnextmentoring@gmail.com
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It's Tree Planting Season!
There are still several opportunities to help Louisville Parks and Rec with tree plantings before the Spring! Upcoming opportunities include Saturday, December 17, 2022, and January 7, 16 and 21, 2023. Check the locations, and pick a park near you! No prior experience is necessary, and familys are encouraged to volunteer together.
Scan the QR Code or Click here to sign up to volunteer. Tools and gloves will be provided.
Contact: LMPRvolunteer@louisvilleky.gov or call 502-574-6403 for more information.
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Hoops & Homework
Delta Foundation is now offering Hoops & Homework to youth throughout Louisville Metro. The goal is developing educated leaders through athletics while pairing participants with a tutor.
Every Monday-Thursday from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm youth ages 8-16 can receive homework assistance followed by basketball skills 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? is 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), 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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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor joins agency leaders, partners and UofL legend Robbie Valentine to announce winter break program options for youth
Mayor Greg Fischer today joined multiple organizations to announce fun, educational opportunities for children and families throughout the community during the holiday season. Camps, movies and sports clinics are among the dozens of activities available for local youth looking for productive things to do during the upcoming Jefferson County Public Schools winter break (December 19 - January 3).
The Mayor was joined by officials with Louisville Parks and Recreation, Louisville Zoo, Louisville Free Public Library, and Kentucky Science Center as well as local basketball legend Robbie Valentine.
“Parents who are looking for affordable, fun and festive ways to celebrate the holidays and keep their kids active during their winter break have plenty of options once again this year,” said Mayor Fischer. “We want students to enjoy their time off but also keep their minds and bodies active.”
Among the highlights, he listed, is a free, three-day youth basketball camp that local basketball legend Robbie Valentine is hosting, with the support of sponsors, at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center. During this camp geared toward boys and girls of all skill levels, youth will learn the fundamentals of basketball as well as the principles of teamwork and individual responsibility.
Continue Reading Here
Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering free camps and programming for young people throughout the community during the Jefferson County Public School winter break (December 19-January 2).
The camps, offered at 12 community centers throughout the city, will provide opportunities for youth of various age groups to play sports, craft, make new friends and more.
Additionally, various community centers will host New Year’s celebrations for families. Please contact a community center near you for more information and visit bestparksever.com to register.
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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.
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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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