April Recap – Community Violence Intervention: The Washtenaw County Approach to Making Communities Safer and Saving Young Lives
Many of the gun deaths plaguing our communities are not the result of the horrific, heart-breaking mass shootings that make headlines, but are because of suicide, domestic violence and gun violence in our cities driven by generational poverty, disinvestment in communities and young lives, structural racism and the hopelessness and despair they create. Gun violence has become the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in this country. The WCDP April 1st General Meeting Program focused on Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and our approach in Washtenaw County to preventing gun violence in our cities and townships and saving young lives.
CVI can include hospital intervention after a young person has been shot or community-based intervention by CVI workers who interact with those likely to be involved with gun violence, either as perpetrators or as victims, in order to prevent gun violence from taking place. In Washtenaw County we are using a hybrid approach, incorporating both the hospital and community-based approaches while including efforts to address the conditions that foster gun violence.
- The WCDP April 1st Program discussion was moderated by Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton and included:
- Derrick Jackson, Director of Community Engagement, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office
- Bryan Foley, CVI leader and Vice President of Supreme Felons
- Roger Roper, from WeLive (a hospital-based intervention)
- Justin Hodge, Chair, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners
- Eli Savit, Washtenaw County Prosecutor
- Billy Cole, CVI leader.
These subject matter experts are doing the work and explained local CVI efforts, why they are considered best practices and are supported nationally, on a state level and locally. Information on a state-wide CVI Summit hosted locally on May 1st was provided for those who would like to learn more.
You’re Invited: Community Iftar April 15, 2023
The Washtenaw County Democratic Party celebrates our diverse communities here in Washtenaw County and across this nation. We support and encourage our members to attend this event to interact with and get to know our neighbors and be a part of the diversity that is Washtenaw County. People of all faiths and cultural backgrounds are invited to join together, socialize, and learn about Islam through food, welcoming informative speakers and engaging interactions.
The event starts promptly at 7:00pm for a short meet and greet, with programming starting at 7:30pm.
We ask that attendees bring one toy or book to benefit the many refugee children being supported by Jewish Family Services.
Co-hosted by: Nadia Hasan, Kathy Wyatt, Mary Hall-Thiam, A2 Councilmember Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, AAPS Board Trustees Rima Mohammad and Krystle DuPree. For questions contact Kathy Wyatt at Katherineawyatt@aol.com.
Location:
Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center
4135 Washtenaw Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
3rd Annual Louis Nagel Concert
April 23, 2023
Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 4pm
Join fellow Democrats for a benefit performance for the Washtenaw County Democratic Party by highly acclaimed concert pianist Louis Nagel featuring music by Beethoven. Includes a special introduction by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.
Attend in person at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, or virtually by Zoom. For those who attend in person, light refreshments will follow the performance. Tickets are on sale now.
April 25: School Funding Advocacy Day in Lansing
From the Michigan Education Justice Coalition:
What: Advocacy day to show lawmakers the strong support for public schools
When: April 25, 2023; 9am-4pm
Why: Get commitments from legislators for more funding
Where: Lansing, Michigan”As we approach budget season for our schools districts across the state, our elected leaders in Lansing are hashing out what priorities will be funded.\Can we count on you to help? All are welcome! We will have a big group of youth, school board members and educators with us.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Do you like to do research?
Precinct Organizing is putting together a file with all of our Reps’ contacts and other info on the new districts. If you enjoy such tasks, and resource creation, contact Janet Cannon janetcdem@gmail.com - Reaching Dem-leaning voters who don’t vote in every election
A recent analysis shows that the single largest group of non-voters in Washtenaw County in 2022 were in the 24–35-year-old age group. We are looking for volunteers to help crack this nut and help us to motivate ALL dem voters of all ages to vote in every election. Now is the time to build a strong strategy for 2024! If you have insight to offer or want to help, please contact Sandy Levitsky slevitsk@gmail.com.
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