May 2023 Newsletter

- OSHN IN THE COMMUNITY -

The "Meet at Chickasaw" Event was About Community Togetherness

About 100 people attended a combined prayer/community cohesion event at Chickasaw Park in Louisville’s West End after a double homicide there just days before. The Community Sanctuary Project (CSP) held the event as part of OSHN’s standard response to a double homicide in any part of the city. CSP is housed in OSHN’s Trauma Resilient Communities division and essentially deploys as a faith-led, mobilized response network that brings group and individual prayer and professional clinical counseling to anyone from the immediate area where the incident occurred and who also feel impacted and emotionally and mentally.

CSP’s mission is to help facilitate community harmony and peace into a neighborhood to anyone experiencing secondary trauma caused by the exposure to violence. CSP is made of a diverse assemblage of local faith-based leaders. The Chickasaw Park event offered participates free counseling sessions with professional clinicians, a prayer tent and free food.

“We were pleased to see the crowd and the cohesion they showed. But because these types of events are born from violence,  we hope to never do this event again,” said Nannette Dix, program manager for TRC. “But if needed, OSHN is here to offer real, impactful services and assistance.”

For ANYONE needing counseling services because of trauma - of any kind -  TRC operates a free, mental health hotline: 502-901-0100.

We Didn't Let it Rain on Our Parade! - or, so to speak

A mix of OSHN executives, managers, staffers, and members of the Metro Youth Cabinet, community ambassadors and partners walked as a specialty unit in the very cold and wet 2023 Derby Pegasus Parade. This was the first time OSHN participated in an official Kentucky Derby event. It was a challenge as team OSHN faced down high, gusty winds, freezing rainfalls and frigid temperatures as they waited their turn to walk. “Once we started walking, the sun shined, the people waved and smiled and all was good in our world,” said Amber Burns-Jones, an OSHN assistant director.

The group of about 30 happily trekked the nearly two miles down Broadway carrying a signature message: “Be The One To Make a Difference.”

- AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT - 

OSHN offers multiple opportunities for civic engagement -

here we highlight our Ambassadors

April Volunteers  

A recent volunteer opportunity was with the Louisville Salvation Army. A troop of OSHN's trained ambassadors organized and packaged non-perishable foods needing assistance.

It was a great volunteer turn out and we appreciate the work of our ambassadors. We have regular, community volunteer opportunities all summer. For more information, please email: Reimagine@louisvilleky.gov

- BE THE ONE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE -

Opportunities for community members to join the fight against violence in our city

You hear a lot about “community engagement.” Sometimes, if refers to volunteering in the community. And that’s important. Very important. Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. And volunteering allows you to connect to your community to make it a better. Helping with even the smallest task can make a genuine, sustaining difference in the lives of people and for nonprofit service organizations.  OSHN partners with a connected network of organizations operating with the sole purpose of reducing violence in Louisville. There’s no special talent or insight needed – just the want to make a difference. Please consider volunteering. Please scan the QR Code or follow this link to find OSHN-associated volunteer opportunities.

- AN OSHN EVENT -

- NEWS RELATED TO VIOLENCE REDUCTION -

Mayor Greenberg centers gun violence reduction in 2024 budget proposal

" Following two mass shootings in Louisville this month, Greenberg put gun violence prevention and public safety at the center of the proposal to Metro Council – his first as mayor. His budget includes a $230,000 investment to turn the existing Group Violence Intervention program into its own department, in an effort to reduce violent crime across the city. Greenberg is also hoping to devote $500,000 to 911 call deflection. Louisville recently expanded that service, which allows providers other than police to respond to 911 calls."

Continue reading here

Justice Department Announces More Than $200 Million in Investments in State Crisis Intervention

This investment of over $231 million will fund state crisis intervention. This investment is part of a  Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022. In addition to all of the DOJs departments addressing safer neighborhoods and community mobilization initiatives, these awards are administered by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance and will provide funding to states for the creation and implementation of extreme risk protection order programs, state crisis intervention court proceedings, and related gun violence reduction initiatives.  The DOJs Office of justice programs page for current awards and opportunities' can be found here. In addition to funding for local and state governments, there are funding opportunities for grassroot organizations and nonprofits working in violence reduction and other related areas   Full investment article can be found here.

- 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

Got A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS? You have come to the right place   Thursday, May 18th 1:00pm -4:00pm South Louisville Community Ministries   Do you have questions regarding fair housing and/or fair employment rights? Here is an opportunity for Louisville residents to speak with an investigator, ask questions, and get some information about next steps regarding housing and employment rights.

Portland Community Resource Fair   Friday, May 19th 11:00am to 3:00pm Portland Community Center   Come Join OSHN, the Office for Parks and Recreation and Kentuckian Works for a community hiring and resource fair! There will be a wide variety of potential employers, helpful resources and information on community services!   To register, follow the QR code

Housing/Living Assistance is a call away      The Office of Resilience and Community Services has a new HOPE Assistance program. It's designed to financially assist senior and disabled individuals living on a fixed-income to reduce their household debt, rent and utilities. Assistance is limited to households that do not have the ability to grow their income due to age, retirement, and/or disability.

Trauma-Informed Care Training    Wednesday, June 21st 11:00am - 12:15pm Virtual Training   Come Join the Office of Public Health and Nannette Dix, program manager of OSHN's Trauma Resilient Communities division, for a virtual training on how trauma affects your mental and physical well-being. You might be impacted in ways you are unaware of. Take the training and see!   To register, email: Jackie.Love@louisvilleky.gov

Shoot Balls, Not Guns - A Day at the Park   Sunday, May 27th 11:00am - 2:00pm  Shawnee Park (near basketball courts)   Willenium Enterprise Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization in Louisville that strives to better serve our community through case management, prevention, peer support, and community engagement events!

Business Resource Fair to Speed Things Along   Saturday, May 20th 10:00am - 2:00pm St. Stephen's Family Life Center    Speed date your way to business knowledge. The city's Office of Economic Development is hosting a Small Business Resource Fair where participant can ask questions and receive one-on-one advice on how to accelerate and develop your business.   Follow the QR or the URL on the flyer to register!

Louisville Job Fair |  Multi-Industry Hiring Event   Wednesday, May 24th 10:00am - 2:00pm Cardinal Stadium - Angel's Envy Club    Looking for that dream job?! Here ya go! A variety of employers and hiring managers and a vast variety of industries are looking for capable, reliable workers. Bring your resume and your best self! Here is some great advice from their invitation:  1. Research the employers attending the fair and identify which ones align with your career goals. 2. Dress professionally and bring multiple copies of your updated resume. 3. Prepare a 30-second elevator pitch to introduce yourself and highlight your relevant skills. 4. Ask informed questions during your interactions with employers to show your interest and knowledge. 5. Follow up with employers after the fair to reiterate your interest and make a lasting impression.   Register Here

MindFest Mental Health Festival 2023   In its second year, Mindfest is a full, free community mind-strengthening event that is uniquely infused with music, food, entertainment, art, yoga, vendors, panel discussions - and more!   For all the details, visit Here

Safe Gun Surrender Event    Sunday, June 11th 2:00pm - 4:00pm  Douglass Blvd Christian Church    "Guns to Gardens" is a step toward reducing gun violence  and a path for people to take action to reduce the number of guns in our homes and communities." This event is a great way to part ways with any unwanted firearms.   For more information you can email: gunstogardenslouisville@gmail.com

"The Opposite of Hate," with Sally Kohn Tuesday, June 06th 12:00pm – 1:00pm Virtual Event   Beyond Buzzwords is a Metro United Way speaker series on diversity, equity, and inclusion designed to provide thoughtful and meaningful discussions about important topics that promote thinking and personal and institutional application.   Register Here

Bookworms at the Book Works Wednesdays 6:00pm – 7:00pm Beechmont Community Center   Bookworms at The Book Works is a non-traditional book discussion group. Join this inclusive and dynamic group of teens and young adults talking about the books that interest them! This month, the group is reading different titles in the same genre. Next month, the group could choose to read different books from an author, or to talk about the topics in banned books. Books and snacks are provided. For more information, email Quin’Tanay Smith at qsmith@thebookworks.org.

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

The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods is always for looking community spaces to host our Ambassador Training and Network Nights' events. If you know of a community space, please contact our coordinator, Jacob Hazel.