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WE ARE GETTING READY!
Along with members of the Ky. chapter of MOMs Demand Action and the local ACE Project, we are getting ready for tomorrow's annual "Night of Remembrance."
This is a community-wide event that gives us the chance to come together collectively and respectfully remember all local citizens tragically, senselessly lost to gun violence in 2024.
The event is at Shawnee Baptist Church, 2214 Bank St. in the Portland neighborhood and is from 6-7:30 pm.
This will be a robust, but solemn program infused with prayers from our community's diverse faith leadership and packed with spiritual music from Grammy-nominated and Louisville native Jason Clayborn.
Please come and witness something special and meaningful on a Friday night.
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"Night of Remembrance" will be live streamed!
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Anti-Violence Efforts Among Citizens |
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The Newburg Gun Violence Reduction Project is Moving Right Along
Last year, the city secured a $1.8 million grant from the Dept. of Justice to start an innovative, violence reduction plan targeted, specifically in the Newburg neighborhood.
This plan is geographical and citizen-driven, meaning that the opinions and suggestions of Newburg’s residents will be paramount as they work with OSHN and associated groups to develop strategies.
So far, the plan’s core team is growing rapidly and there is an on-going grassroots effort to inform and engage even more Newburg residents. Billboards and mobile campaigns have started. If you are a Newburg resident and want more information, please email: Newburg@louisvilleky.gov or go to the website HERE.
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Anti-Violence Coalitions are Working Together!
Shawnee anti-violence coalition member, The Robert Jamison Ministries, with the local Black Lives Matter and other area anti-violence coalitions, recently held an event in the Russell neighborhood aimed to consolidate the efforts of all neighborhoods anti-violence coalitions across the city. The city’s nine coalitions are housed in The Reimagine Network, OSHN’s community mobilization division. These coalitions work with the city to address issues right in their neighborhood that they identify as risk for violence in their community. The Shawnee coalition is working hard to branch off and become its own 501c – which is the ideal plan for all the anti-violence coalitions.
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OSHN supports individuals impacted by violence through behavior change, safety planning and connection to resources and services that address their root causes of violence. Many individuals needing these resources are also looking for opportunities.
Blyden Kennedy is OSHN’s grants management supervisor and personally knows the importance of having an opportunity to escape the midst of violence. But getting to such an opportunity was a long struggle that he was committed to overcoming. Originally from Liberia, West Africa, his country erupted into civil war in the 1990s, which forced him to seek safety in a refugee camp on the Ivory Coast. After years there, he finally migrated to Philadelphia, PA, and eventually earned a bachelor’s in business administration, then a master’s in health administration and another master’s in business administration.
While earning his degrees, he worked with several high-profile nonprofits in auditing and financial compliance; opportunities that situated him to handle millions of dollars from city, state, and federal governments.
After visiting Louisville, he decided to move his family here and worked 12 years in progressive management positions in the city’s Office for Management and Budget before transitioning to OSHN one year ago.
“I choose OSHN because I wanted to contribute meaningfully to the reduction of gun violence in our city. The transition to OSHN was very smooth.”
In addition to managing staff, he oversees the financial and compliance management of all grants, programs, and activities.
He works directly with grantees to ensure they understand requirements, comply, and meet performance expectations and helps guide OSHN managers on management of federally granted programs. ”My work to help grantees is tied to the mission at OSHN” partnering and collaborating with the community to intervene with those impacted by gun violence, he said.
He says he believes everyone is entitled to live in a safe neighborhood. “This is why the work I do is a very important component.”
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Night of Remembrance
Friday, January 24th, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:30pm
Shawnee Baptist Church, 2214 Bank Street, Louisville, KY 40203
An interfaith prayer, candlelight, and musical ceremony with a special performance by Grammy-nominated gospel artist and Louisville native, Jason Clayborn.
Please join this solemn event to remember local citizens lost to violence in 2024.
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Neighborhood Networking Connection
Thursday, January 30th, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:30pm
Molly Leonard Portland Community Center, 640 N 27th Street, Louisville, KY
This event is an essential discussion on youth, gun violence prevention and community initiatives. Please register and get updated on what is being done to create a safer, and even more supportive community. Louisville’s holistic approach involves education, mental health, and community engagement. Please join this discussion for creating more resilient neighborhoods.
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Local Anti-Violence Coalitions meet monthly in the Russell, Shawnee, Smoketown, Newburg, Parkhill, Portland, Taylor-Berry, Algonquin, and St. Dennis neighborhoods.
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News Related to Violence Reduction |
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National Center for Disease Control explains, “Community Violence.”
What is Community Violence?
Community violence happens between unrelated individuals, who may or may not know each other, generally outside the home. Examples include assaults or fights among groups and shootings in public places, such as schools and on the streets.
Research indicates that youth and young adults (ages 10-34), particularly those in Black and Latino communities, are disproportionately impacted.1
Community violence affects millions of people and their families, schools, and communities every year.
Quick Facts and Stats
Community violence results in the loss of thousands of lives every year. Many more people are injured or witness violence in their communities.
Youth and young adults are disproportionately impacted by violence in their communities, including firearm injuries and deaths.1
- For youth ages 10 to 24, homicide is the second leading cause of death. 2
- For people 25 to 34, homicide is the third leading cause of death.2
- Nearly 15,000 youth and young adults lost their lives to homicide in 2021.2
- Over 700,000 young people are treated and released in U.S. emergency departments each year for injuries resulting from violence. 2
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Empowering Youth with Every Resource
It is important for youth to have resources because they are in a crucial stage of development and need support to navigate challenges and obstacles they may face. Having resources such as educational opportunities, health services, mental health support, and access to mentors can help young people build the necessary skills and resilience to succeed in their personal and professional lives. Additionally, having resources can provide a sense of stability and security, which is important for overall well-being and mental health. By investing in youth and providing them with resources, we can empower them to reach their full potential and contribute positively to society.
If you are a youth service provider that would like to apply to the YES! Direct, you can APPLY HERE. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 organization that administers background checks to all staff and volunteers.
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Exciting news! We’re officially kicking off plans to enhance our beloved Belvedere—and we want your input to shape its future.
What would make the Belvedere a premier destination for years to come? Share your ideas at one of our upcoming community engagement sessions.
Your voice matters, and we’re eager to hear your thoughts! Click the link below to learn more and register for the session. See you there!
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Where Gun Violence is Happening in Our City |
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The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods is always looking for community spaces to host our events.
If you know of a community space please email The Reimagine Network.
reimagine@louisvilleky.gov
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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 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!
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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. |
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View any past OSHN Newsletter!
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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 the Reimagine Network.
Take care of each other,
The Reimagine Network
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Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods
908 W Broadway, 5th Floor, Louisville, KY 40203 | Phone: 502-574-6949
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