March 2023 Newsletter
AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT
OSHN offers multiple avenues for civic engagement. Here we highlight our Ambassadors.
Volunteering Is Easy!
In partnership with the local Metro United Way, The Reimagine Network is now listing real time volunteer opportunities in the Louisville communities.
Just go to:
Or contact Reimagine@louisvilleky.gov
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Whitney Strong Violence Prevention Training
For the first time, OSHN partnered with the national Whitney Strong Organization and offered residents in the Portland area a combined prevention training that included certified training in “Stop The Bleed,” a course that shows how to stop an active wound bleed.
An estimated 55 participants attended the “Unity is Strength” training on March 11 at the Shawnee Baptist Church.
“We know the impact these trainings and Save-A-Life kits have on people and communities, so we are thrilled to be apart in making a difference,” Executive Director Whitney Austin said. “We are thankful for OSHN’s partnership with this training to prevent violence in our communities.”
Participants also learned how to proactively mobilize their neighborhood against gun violence, how to handle firearms safely, spot and stop a potential suicide and why violence is now considered a public health issue.
All trainings were conducted by experts.
Watch the OSHN website and social media for the next training and easily register on-line.
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BE THE ONE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Violence Reduction Action Summit
The first citizen summit on strategies for violence reduction was an at-capacity event where involved citizens from many Louisville communities shared what Louisville can an collectively do to end violence.
The evening event was February 21 at Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville. The initial forum of participants were divided into smaller, professionally facilitated discussions where they voiced their individual opinions and ideas about the root causes and its continuing dynamics in Louisville. Exchanges were robust, passioned and reportable. OSHN is currently reviewing the findings from the event and will give a comprehensive report in the short future.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Opportunities for community members to join the fight against violence in our city
The next Networking Nights will focus on youth
April is "Child Abuse Awareness Month" and The Reimagine Network has invited YES! Youth Engagement services to help facilitate the discussion at the next Networking Nights on April 18th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.! Exploited Children's Health Organization, Maryhurst and the Boys & Girls Haven will panel.
For more information email reimagine@louisvilleky.gov or register below.
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Louisville's version of the National Youth Violence Prevention Week
The Metro Youth Cabinet has developed a week of engaged public events that will both celebrate youth and also get serious discussions going on how violence impacts Louisville youth. The Cabinet is housed in the YES! Youth Engagement Services division at OSHN. Among the free, open events is an a vendor fair when youth-focused service providers will showcase their offerings, a youth panel discussion of issues affect ting them and an open mic and poetry event. To learn more, go to the OSHN website, or click here:
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The Louisville Metro Youth Cabinet
The new Youth Cabinet is meeting regularly and gearing towards being change makers. The Cabinet’s hub is in the YES! Youth Engagement Services division at OSHN.
The 26-member Cabinet is a fresh addition to Louisville Metro Government and works directly with Louisville’s Mayor and Metro Council to offer advice on policy, community building and equity.
The cabinet will work to identify and transform systems that prevent young people – throughout our city – from living healthy and happy lives. Youth are in the best position to identify the range of struggles they face and to suggest solutions.
WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR YOUTH REPS IN DISTRICTS 7, 10, and 11
Eligibility Requirements: Ages 16-24 and a Louisville resident. We encourage applicants with diverse experiences, ethnicities, religions and gender identities to apply.
Email YES@louisvilleky.gov or call 502-574-1903 for more information.
Applicants, please respond by March 31, 2023
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Trauma Resilience
You are invited to participate in the Louisville TRC Project Resilience Academy. Participants will receive foundational training in the Trauma Resilient Community (TRC) Model. This TRC Model training will focus on energizing, connecting, embedding, and embodying the science of trauma resilience. The TRC Model and approach uses the current research-supported trauma-resilient practices, organizational development, and implementation science to help move individuals and organizations from information to action. This process is designed to create a trauma-responsive and trauma-resilient culture for clients, staff, leaders, and the community.
Participants must work for an organization that serves the communities of West and/or South Louisville.
Registration for TRC Model Resilience Academy is June 14th & 15th, 2023.
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NEWS RELATED TO VIOLENCE REDUCTION
Community Involvement Reduces Crime
Here is a fascinating and significant research paper showcasing the causal effects between violent crime and local nonprofits. Their research incorporated nonprofits from 264 cities over the course of 20 years. Researchers concluded "that every 10 additional organizations focusing on crime and community life in a city with 100,000 residents leads to a 9 percent reduction in the murder rate, a 6 percent reduction in the violent crime rate, and a 4 percent reduction in the property crime rate."
Full article can be found here.
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Understanding Firearm Deaths by State—and How to Reduce Them
The RAND Corporation, a research organization and nonprofit publication, wrote a research article highlighting the impacts gun legislation has on firearm deaths both nationally and within states. A significant takeaway was their findings regarding the impact of child-access prevention laws.
You can read the full article here.
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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
Curve Appeal makes a difference in reducing crime
Clean Alley Gallery Doors
March 30, 1:30 - 4:30pm
Paint Garbage Cans
April 6, 1:30 - 4:30pm
Pre-Thunder Litter Pick-up
April 20, 1:30 - 4:30pm
Pre-Derby Litter Pick-up
April 27, 1:30 - 4:30pm
Join Louisville Downtown Partnership in a spring cleanup effort this year. This cleanup is the perfect opportunity for the community to help Downtown look its best this season.
Help clean alley gallery doors, paint garbage cans, and pick up litter. And it's easy! The Louisville Downtown Partnership will provide cleaning and painting materials, trash bags, and gloves.
Sign Up Here
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Teen Round Table Talk
Russell Vision Development Center is a resource and education center for youth and young adults'. They are hosting a teen round table discussion on suicide and gun violence. RSVP and come join in the discussions April 1st, from 12-2pm at 2208 W Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40212
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Teen Vibe Spring Break Camp
The YMCA is holding a fun opportunity for youth during Spring Break from April 3-7. Ages 14-16 are invited to register and participate in their "Love Notes" program at the Teen Tech Center, 1720 West Broadway, Louisville, KY.
The "Love Notes" programing is based on a curriculum that addresses healthy relationship skills, communication skills, and many other topics.
The Teen Tech Center is a place where teens can develop critical skills through hands-on activities that explore their interests in programming, filmmaking, music production and design.
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The Louisville TreeFest is On!
Louisville Parks and Recreation and Trees Louisville are holding an annual Tree Fest! Volunteer for Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and help plant some 200 trees throughout Joe Creason Park at 1297 Trevilian Way in Louisville. The event also includes tree giveaways, guided nature walks, tree climbing, a rock-climbing wall, crafts, games, live music, vendor booths, community booths and more!
Register Here
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Opportunity for Local Artists
The Office of Advanced Planning, with the Office of Arts & Creative Industries, is implementing the Community Crosswalks Program in April. Four major crosswalks in downtown Louisville will be designed and painted by local artists in an effort to increase pedestrian safety while showcasing Louisville’s art and cultural scene.
Interested artists or teams can learn more and submit designs by clicking here.
For more information, please contact Lou Lepping at (502) 574-6776.
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Savvy Shabazz Podcast
Louisville's Savvy Shabazz has a new podcast on Spotify. He is founder and CEO of the anti-violence program, "Each One, Teach One" and is a former organizer at the Louisville Urban League. His work has centered around improving the livelihood of young men and boys in the Parkland, Shawnee, California, Newburg and Russell neighborhoods.
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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Greenberg announces new federal funds to support Louisville youth at risk of violence
Mayor Greenberg joined community leaders at The Spot: Young Opportunity Campus to announce that, through a new federal Go Grant, more vulnerable young adults in Louisville will be getting access to much-needed supportive resources. This funding, which totals $700,000 over two and half years, will allow The Spot and its community partners to serve more than 100 additional youth who are at severe risk of being impacted by community and interpersonal violence.
“In working to build a safer and stronger Louisville, we must use every resource we have to improve the conditions that lead to violence and despair in our community, especially among our young people,” Mayor Greenberg said. “These new funds will help more young adults get connected to a team of caring adults, and to basic resources like stable housing, transportation, and employment. Our city is stronger and safer when every young person, from every neighborhood and background, has access to a support system and quality economic opportunities.”
Continue reading here
Mayor Craig Greenberg’s Remarks in Response to Department of Justice Findings
Our city has been through a lot these past few years and hearing the details of this report brings back a lot of painful memories, especially from 2020. Although, for too many in our community, the memories this brings back are much older than that. Our city has wounds that have not yet fully healed.
That’s why this moment – and this report – are so important, and necessary. We have to understand and come to terms with where we’ve been so we can get to where we want to be.
Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel and I were both sworn in two months ago. We took our oaths of office on January 2nd knowing this investigation was reaching its conclusion, but not knowing what these findings would be. But we both understood from the beginning that we would inherit and embrace this opportunity to reform and improve LMPD.
Continue reading 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.
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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
The Reimagine Network
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