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Goodwill Will Operate the City’s CVI Sites
OSHN has awarded Goodwill of Kentucky a two-year, $3 million contract to operate all the city’s community violence intervention (CVI) sites. The program, called Pivot to Peace, will work in tandem with the Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA), the Center for Neighborhoods and the University of Louisville Hospital. The funds are from the federal American Rescue Plan initiative.
After review, OSHN made a strategic decision to restructure the sites under one community organization with all funding reinvested into the same services. The decision was made for greater efficiency and to gain easier program management through consolidation.
The program will bring Louisville’s most viable community resources and expert operations into one full initiative where they will work closely together to strengthen the city’s response and abilities in violence reduction. The CVI sites will provide critical support for individuals at high risk for committing gun violence by placing violence intervention specialists – or interrupters - in the Algonquin, Russell, Taylor Berry, and Newburg neighborhoods.
Pivot to Peace will work to engage and build trust with individuals aged 14-35 at high risk for gun violence through consistent outreach, daily engagement and real-time street-level interventions focused on de-escalation and conflict resolution – possibly even during moments of high tension.
Click Here to Learn More
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'The job picks you': Two men show Louisville's youth a path away from gun violence
There aren't many days Darynell Mayes and Shawn Mucker aren't put in potentially dangerous situations through their work.
There are fewer days they aren't at risk of losing someone they'd hoped to save.
As two of seven outreach workers in Louisville's Pivot to Peace program, the men serve as mentors and case managers for clients who are identified as some of the community's most at-risk members — those who are thought to be the most likely to kill or be killed.
The role they play is crucial in a city that has hundreds of gang members, an over-proliferation of easy-to-access firearms, pockets of very high poverty and a shortage of police officers.
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SHAWNEE Residents - Ready. Set. GO!
Residents in the Shawnee neighborhood now have the chance to really show how much they love their block! Thanks to the Bloomberg Philanthropies, residents can apply for mini grants to financially support those residents who want to personally develop a Shawnee neighborhood environmental improvement project. Homeowners and renters can apply for grants from $100-$4,000 that can be used in typical and unique ways: Clear liter, start a community garden, plant greenery, paint/wash buildings, buy food for volunteers, install an art mural – go wild, Shawnee!
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Community Partners Help OSHN Connect with Youth in Meaningful Ways
OSHN joined forces with area professionals to help introduce and train students at the Waller Williams Environmental School on the essentials of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cpr), conflict resolution and firearm safety. These types of trainings help to build their awareness for making informed decisions and helps them to develop a sense of responsibility.
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Neighborhood Networking Connections Showcased Citizen Work Being Done in Portland
OSHN recently hosted a lively community meeting in the Portland neighborhood where dedicated citizens and organizations showcased what they are doing to cure violence there. For example, the Portland anti-violence coalition (AVC) is working to become an independently operated 501c. To learn more about meetings in all neighborhoods, please email: reimagine@louisvilleky.gov.
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Nannette Dix is OSHN’s primary trauma program manager. She competes for and handles millions of dollars in federal grants earmarked to remedy community and individual trauma of any kind. She ensures OSHN is involved in community collaboration, is offering relevant and trauma-informed mental well-being programs and services and collects data on program outcomes.
She considers herself a natural for such work. As a child, she grew through a journey that consummated a deep understanding of and empathy for people facing emotional challenges.
She watched her young father become ravaged physically and mentally with alcohol addiction. It ended his marriage and caused him to be violence with those he loved the most. She says that truth largely robbed her of childhood happiness and any sense of family stability. “I could not understand why my father could not stop drinking,” she said. “If he loved us, like he often stated, then why could he not "JUST QUIT!" It wasn’t until I started graduate school (in social work) that I began to look at addiction as a disease.”
Before moving into program management, she worked nearly 12 years as a board certified clinical social worker where she gained extensive training and experience in trauma, grief, and mental health. She has an associate degree in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in development and a master’s degree social work with a specialization in substance disorders, all from the University of Louisville’s well-regarded Kent School of Social Work.
“Social service must be a calling because the pay can be little - but the rewards are great, “ she said. “I love to help people in bettering their life experience.”
“OSHN stives to make significant impacts on the lives of those affected by trauma and gun violence. So, our work can touch and change many people and many local communities.”
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Honoring Louisville’s Black History
Honoring our community’s history helps to ensure it won’t be erased and is there for coming generations to know.
So, here, we remember just a fraction of those who made a difference in Louisville:
Anne Braden: A civil rights activist, journalist and educator who dedicated her life to racial equality in Louisville and nationally.
Mae Street Kidd: A highly gifted businesswoman, civic leader and skilled politician who represented District 41 (Louisville) in the Kentucky General Assembly, who sponsored landmark legislation.
Lyman T. Johnson: An educator who challenged racial desegregation at the University of Kentucky as the first African American to attend classes there.
Helen Humes: An R&B diva. She was a jazz and blues extraordinaire who helped to define the swing era.
Georgia Powers: Among the giants of the civil rights movement, she was the first African American to hold a seat in the Kentucky State Senate.
Quinn Chapel: A historic African American Methodist church that served as a focal point in the local civil rights movement.
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Compassion Report Released By Ali Center |
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A Snapshot of the "State of Compassion" in Louisville: |
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Parkland Canvas Finds its Home
For 21 years, Louisville Metro employees have lovingly kept a large, colorful canvas collaboratively painted by youths from 2003 and that depicts the Parkland neighborhood.
It was safely stored, first at the old Office for Youth Development and then finally at YES! Youth Engagement Services at OSHN.
Now, the canvas will be permanently, and property housed at the newly renovated Parkland Library in the Parkland neighborhood.
The existence of this artwork showcases not just the talent of past local youth, but the respect and care government employees gave it for some many years.
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National Youth Violence Prevention Week 2025 Louisville Youth Art Contest
All artistic mediums welcome!
This year's theme is "Forward Together". Participants will submit artwork that represents and depicts this theme in reference to gun violence prevention efforts led by youth in our community. All youth between the ages of 6 and 24 are invited to submit an entry. Entries will be judged by the Louisville Metro Youth Cabinet based on appropriateness of style, technique, and proficiency, with consideration of how well the art represents the theme "Forward Together" and youth commitment to the fight against gun violence.
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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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