By Maria – Paula
The City of Newport News is addressing a national crisis – gun violence – through community-based organizations that offer initiatives, programs and strategies to create change in its neighborhoods.
The community, led by Mayor McKinley L. Price, recently gathered at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in support of the Gun Violence Intervention Program.
Terming it a ‘preventable health crisis’, Price said, “[This] announcement of how our city is moving forward to continue to address gun violence comes after a sombre weekend in Hampton Roads,” concerning three-weekend shootings, including one that left two people with injuries in Newport News. “Enough is enough. We must come together to invest in sustainable solutions, and we have to reach our young people early before they see guns and see violence as the only options.”
By inaugurating a competitive application process to fund evidence-based solutions to the campaign in June this year to run through June 30, 2023, the city received 28 applications.
In partnership with Christopher Newport University’s Centre for Crime, Equity and Justice Research and Policy‘s research, 19 organizations were funded varying amounts for a total investment of $1,786,551, based on a citywide community assessment survey. Of the 2000 residents interviewed, almost 60% of the respondents were concerned about being shot or losing someone to gun violence.
“We are investing in strategies that interrupt the cycle of violence amongst individuals at the highest risk for perpetrating or being a victim of gun violence,” said Mayor Price. “Through the Gun Violence Intervention Program, we are supporting innovative and technology-based prevention, intervention, enforcement, and re-entry strategies. The community-based programs we are helping launch and expand bring non-profit organizations, businesses, groups, residents, law enforcement agencies, and countless others together to create transformational and sustainable change.”
Amongst the biggest beneficiaries of the grant funds was, What’s Next: Breaking Barriers for Success having received $193,120. This grant expands the What’s Next program, a workforce development initiative that addresses the risk factors of community poverty and family financial instability. The program connects participants to job training, career preparation, and job attainment/retention to move them toward financial stability, including a mental health component. The project collaborates with Newport News Public Schools and Virginia Peninsula Community College, with plans to expand partnerships to other workforce development programs.
Gun Violence Prevention & Intervention Outreach also received $188,030: funding aimed at supporting the Trauma Recovery Centre. The hub which includes a call centre provides comprehensive services to those affected by gun violence. Together with licensed professionals and community partners, participants will receive wraparound services, including support
groups, physical therapy and mental health services.
Other grant beneficiaries to support the new and expanded programmes included:
1. Quality of Life Counselling Center ($177,920)
2. The HEB Foundation, Inc. ($176,794)
3. Let Our Voices Empower ($120,893)
4. Center for Child & Family Services ($108,380)
5. Sister to Sister ($100,100)
6. Boxing 2 Live ($99,968)
7. Ketchmore Kids ($93,692)
8. Newport News Public Schools ($92,703)
9. Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas ($79,477)
10. Soundscapes ($65,719)
11. YMCA ($61,315)
12. Newport News Police
Foundation ($60,000)
13. Community Builders Network ($58,180)
14. Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads ($45,260)
15. THRIVE Peninsula ($40,000)
16. Today Jesus Outreach ($15,000)
17. Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture ($10,000)
Preliminary findings of the survey cited poverty, mental health concerns and unsupervised youth as the biggest concern in the Newport News community. A final report expected from Christopher Newport University, CNU, later this summer will answer questions on the causes of crime, the impacts of violence and concerns around safety in the city.
Meanwhile, with more stakeholders on board, residents of Newport News only hope is a safer neighborhood for the present and future generations.
