What if Louisville were the safest city in the world?

144 North 6th Street,Louisville KY 40202

28 March, 2023

Description

What if Louisville were the safest city in the world? We believe that reducing and preventing violence is one of our community’s most pressing and important issues. We understand that in the past, for a variety of reasons, we have been divided into silos in our work because of different perspectives and methodologies, and various levels of trust and equality. Now is the time for a more unified effort where we understand and appreciate our differences, utilizing them as strengths to help us build a more effective network and peaceful community. At every step along the way, we will be sensitive to centering the voices and initiatives of impacted communities. We will meet on March 28th and 29th, both days from 9am-4:30pm.Who is hosting this? LASGVR (Louisville Alliance for Sustainable Gun Violence Reduction) is a group of over 50 organizations and passionate individuals (see list below) who are actively working in gun violence reduction, and believe that awareness of each other's work will make us all more effective in our collective goal. If you fit this description, you are invited to join! In December 2022, we released an Organizational Social Network Analysis, distributed to 293 orgs/entities who are currently working in violence reduction in Louisville. The analysis provides insight into who is working on what, with whom, and indicates where connections within the network an be strengthened. Feel like you're alone in this fight? Meet the other 299 people working in violence reduction who have the same goal. Who is invited? Tickets will be primarily extended Organizational Social Network Analysis respondents, which is an array of organizations from large nonprofits, small nonprofits, government agencies and programs, faith communities, businesses, education and individuals with significant commitment to the ecosystem. Remaining tickets will be available to the public, anyone passionate about finding solutions to gun violence in our city. There are two ticket types: Survey Participants and General Admission. If you did not receive an email to register as a Survey Participant, then you are invited to register in General Admission. Seating is limited due to room capacity, so please only reserve a ticket if you can attend both days. If you are unable to come, please cancel to open your seat for someone else. Each person who attends will directly shape the outcome of the meeting. Your absence will also shape the outcome, so please do join us. Our conversations will lead to new learning, deeper understanding and for many, action. What's on the agenda? Step one is to gather interested people and organizations with a passion for gun violence prevention. Once together, we will... Day 1 Put faces and names to others working upstream and downstream of violence, and build relationships across silos. Use the results of the social network analysis as a mirror, a view into how we work together and the opportunities we have to strengthen. Explore the vision “What if Louisville were the safest city in the world?” with appreciative inquiry.Day 2 Work collaboratively to identify collective priorities and needsFocus work teams on moving forward on specific topicsHighlight initiatives coming from impacted communitiesPull people together to become inspired, connect, and emerge transformative ideas.Participation in both days is essential - the design of the summit builds upon itself, and if you are unable to participate from 9a-4:30p on both days, we ask that you release your seat to someone who can. If you are unable to participate at the summit, you are always welcome at the weekly gathering for the Alliance (LASGVR) on Wednesdays at 3pm via zoom. (https://zoom.us/j/9847872987) Ideas and output from the summit will form the foundation of a community strategic plan, developed collaboratively with those who would like to be involved. Join us if you are...Ready to envision a safer city that we create togetherReady to understand the whole, and find your place within itReady to find solutionsReady to listen to others and offer your own experience and perspectiveReady to be inspiredReady to be the changeReady to make vital new connectionsReady to hear the voices of impacted communities and celebrate their initiativesIn an effort to support Black grassroots initiatives, we will host a Social Innovators Showcase. If you are interested in sharing, please contact [email protected]. How do I fit?This is a complex issue that will take many people in many places using many methods to make the change. This is a way of supporting and promoting the efforts of everyone where they are, learning from each other along the way. Note: This is a place where we are supporting everyone and their methods and perspectives in reducing violence. We aren’t agreeing on one approach, but are creating the container so that we learn from and build upon each other’s experience. Therefore the question is not do you fit, it’s how you fit. Co-Hosts: These organizations and individuals are endorsing and helping to host this event: 2NOT1 Fatherhood & Families, Inc. ACE Project Inc.Catholic Charities of LouisvilleCLOUT (Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together)DASI (Descendants of American Slaves Inc)Department of Criminal Justice, U of LEducation First Foundation, Inc.Galilee Community Development CorporationGloves Not Gunz Inc.God's Lives Matter IncGoodwill Industries of KYGreater Galilee ChurchGreater Louisville ProjectHart Communication, LLCHighland Baptist Church's Anti-Racism TeamHistory Untold 400Howard MasonHunni's Teddy Bear Foundation, IncInterfaith Paths to PeaceIslamic Community CentersJackie FloydJCPSJefferson County 3rd District Constable OfficeKeneseth Israel CongregationKentickianaWorksLouisville Parks and RecreationMegan Bayles BartleyNazareth Retreat CenterOne ChurchPeace Education Program - Pivot to PeaceProject Inspire AcademyRobert Jamison Ministries IncSpirit Filled New Life Church MinistriesSt William Catholic ChurchThe Bosses Not Bangers Foundation LLCThe Dark Knights Initiative, Inc.The Justice Center at All Peoples The Mindfulness CenterThe Office of Mayor Craig GreenbergThe Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN)UofL Hospital - J. David Richardson Trauma CenterUrsuline Sisters of LouisvilleVolunteers of America - Mid-StatesWho is LASGVR? The Louisville Alliance for Sustainable Gun Violence Reduction (LASGVR), is a broad group of organizations and individuals who are working together to reduce violence in our city. Initiated in the summer of 2022, a group of 25 organizations came together to ask the question, " Could working together make us better at reducing violence?" We said yes. A group began the process of convening the Alliance, and opened the invitation to anyone who would like to join in December of 2022. The group in this iteration has met via zoom every week this year, and participants represent a wide range of organizations and individuals working on violence reduction, from youth services to interruption to re-entry to supportive community partners. The group aims to develop a comprehensive knowledge of gun violence reduction efforts and to create relationships within it to make us all more effective. If you contribute to gun violence reduction in Louisville, you are invited! The Alliance meets on Wednesdays at 3pm via zoom (https://zoom.us/j/9847872987). If you have questions, contact [email protected].