Matthew James Graziano, MSW, PhD, LP’s Post

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are often working upstream to address root causes of injury and violence. If you are not already doing so, it is a great idea to collaborate with a HBCU in your area to plan, implement and enhance your injury and violence prevention program. Check out a few ideas for ways you can partner below!

Following the Surgeon General's declaration that gun violence is indeed a public health issue, KPIX | CBS San Francisco/Bay Area's Jose Martinez interviewed me in my capacity as Youth ALIVE!'s Director of Development and Communications about what Oakland's community based organization for violence prevention, intervention, and healing is doing to disrupt the cycle of violence in The Town following the tragic shooting during Oakland's Juneteenth celebration. "We're working on it. We're healing people. We're preventing violence. We're saving hundreds, possibly thousands of lives every year. " More on that here: https://lnkd.in/grKWJBqy

Ponder Diversity Group stands united with the City of Chicago and Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) - O'Hare & Midway International Airports in the crucial mission to combat gun violence in Chicago and nationwide. This initiative not only prioritizes public safety but also underscores a moral obligation, especially for communities on the city’s south and west sides. Understanding the intricate factors contributing to gun violence, such as socioeconomic disparities, access to firearms, mental health challenges, social influences, and systemic inequalities, is paramount. Urgent action is essential to address this pressing issue and its severe impact on Black and diverse communities. Efforts to tackle gun violence require holistic approaches encompassing prevention, intervention, enforcement, and community empowerment. These strategies aim to foster safe environments where everyone can flourish without the shadow of fear or harm. Commendations to Mayor Brandon Johnson, the City of Chicago, and CDA Commissioner Jamie Rhee for their unwavering commitment to the well-being and future of all Chicago communities by taking a firm stand to eliminate gun violence once and for all.⚫️ #endgunviolence #epidemic #cityofchicago #chicagodepartmentofaviation #CDA #publicsafety #moralimperative #socialjustice #systemicinequality #equity #communityempowerment

🚩 RED FLAG AWARENESS 🚩by Deadly Connections Community & Justice Services In relationships, red flags are signs that the person may not be able to have a healthy relationship and proceeding down the road together would be emotionally or physically dangerous. These red flags in previous relationships, even if you haven't seen them yet - are also a cause for concern. Please share this post far and wide, you never know who might need to see this. If you or anyone you know requires DV support please call; 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week If you are in immediate danger, please call 000 #domesticviolence #redflags #deadlyconnections #healthyrelationships #education #awareness #signs #support #survivorled #communitiesofsupport

Violence is like a disease, it is a public health problem that we actually understand pretty well. We know the risk factors and protective factors. You might get the impression from the media and our society that school shootings are nearly inevitable but that just isn't the case.  I'm here to tell you that violence, like the shootings in Georgia,  IS preventable. The whole thrust of the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce is that violence is a problem that we can both understand and address. We can only hope that lessons learned in the military and civilian arenas synergetically combine to strengthen our nation.  The low hanging fruit here is teaching our children (and peers) that we are all part of a larger community, we all belong, how to treat each other with dignity and respect, how to have empathy. That's it, that's the bottom line. "'Our first preventative strategy should be to make sure kids are respected, that they feel connected and belong in schools,' says Odis Johnson Jr., of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Safe and Healthy Schools.That means building kids' skills around conflict resolution, stress management and empathy for their fellow classmates — skills that can help reduce all sorts of unwanted behaviors, including fighting and bullying. "  https://lnkd.in/gCVbPSBd

We need to do better

In the last 24 hours, I can't even count the number of calls, texts and emails from friends, colleagues, clients - all parents on edge as they send their kids back to school this week after the school shooting in #Georgia. The convos left me to reflect on the active shooter training sessions we at Forseti Protection Group have conducted over the last decade. It’s a stark reminder that violence in the workplace, schools, and public spaces remains a persistent threat. The tragic active shooter incident at a school in Georgia on September 4, 2024, underscores the urgent need for organizations to continually assess and enhance their preparedness. With each tragedy, the responsibility to ensure our communities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to act decisively in a crisis becomes even more vital. This is not a political post. This is me merely sharing my personal conversations that highlight the need for parents to ask questions, find answers from schools and have tough conversations with their kids. Have you had to have any of these conversations, especially with your kids?? Let me know in the comments. #throwbackthursday #ActiveShooterTraining #SecurityPreparedness #OrganizationalSafety #Forsetiapproach #riskmanagement #schoolsafety #sro #superintendent #pta #parents #students

"With a project that focuses on lowering the gun violence rate in Ward 7, it will specifically impact this particular community. So here in Ward 7, I want my end to gun violence initiative to positively impact youth and families, as children and young adults are often very vulnerable to the effects of gun violence. Through my initiative, a safer community can be built for youth to grow up in. This generally affects all community residents, where everyone can enjoy peace of mind, and feel safe within Ward 7. In addition, my project will have an impact on our law enforcement and first responders, promoting better public safety strategies. But mostly, I want this project to build a community, that includes the victims and survivors of gun violence, providing resources to heal and rebuild their lives. Since gun violence is a relatively popular discussion around the country, I expect little to no pushback. However, some may feel threatened by my initiatives and work against my goals. But the long-term effects of this project outweigh a couple of negative feedbacks, for an overall better Ward 7". #howarduniversity #alwaysbefleeting #laurafleet #scholarship #leadership #hbcuteacher #hbcu #hbculegacy

Today we launch our new campaign, Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Knife Crime Together. Through social media and other influences, young people see stories of knives and sharp objects being carried and used. This can lead them to believe that they should also carry a knife for protection – when in reality, carrying a weapon puts them at greater risk of getting hurt. Our campaign provides professionals, youth leaders, and caregivers with the tools to educate young people about the misconceptions of carrying and using knives. The resources include: ◾ A powerful video featuring personal and professional accounts of those affected by knife crime ◾ Engaging learning resources from Eski designed for young people ◾ Practical workbooks and slides for practitioners to guide their conversations and workshops ◾ Information on the #Sceptre knife amnesty project and Humberside Police's 'What's the Point?' campaign Learn more about our campaign and access the materials here: https://lnkd.in/eE6Ftm22 Together, we can break the cycle and create a safer future for young people. Image description: Black background with the campaign title, Humber VPP logo and hashtag, and circle of white arrows with a single green arrow #HumberVPP #BreakingTheCycle #KnifeCrime #KnifeCrimeAwareness #CommunitySafety #Hull #EastRiding #NorthLincolnshire #NorthEastLincolnshire

Watch the co-directors of the Street Action Network Basaime Spate and Javonte Alexander introduce the Street Action Network, a cutting-edge approach to address gun violence. As gun violence survivors and members of street networks, they will combine their experience, along with research, action, and community to change narratives and create change. The goal, as Spate says, "is to give opportunity, educate, and save lives." https://lnkd.in/eXZKyXQp