Violence Prevention Initiative Update 

Volume 4, Issue 7 - August 2013  

Upcoming Events

Registration Open for Above The Clouds Fall 2013 Classes /ATC 10th Year Celebration Luncheon October 5th, 2013

VPI partner Above The Clouds currently has open registration for its Fall 2013 classes. For more information to register, click here.

Above The Clouds cordially invites the public to join them in celebration of ATC's 10th year Anniversary Luncheon. The event will be held at the Grace Center, 250 E. Juneau Ave. Milwaukee, WI. 53202 11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Individual tickets: $50.00 table: $400.00. For more information, contact Above The Clouds.

Milwaukee Public Theatre cordially invites the public to view some of the art, floats, costumes, headdresses, banners and more created by the community in workshops led by Milwaukee Public Theatre and Milwaukee Mask & Puppet Theatre at a public reception on Tuesday, August 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. @ Milwaukee City Hall, 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI.53202  
MPT partnered with the ACLU, Summer of Peace and Milwaukee Latino Carnival to present fabulous parades. MPT also presented a new original show, "Out to Lunch" in 10 performances this summer. Pieces from "Refoundation" in Melvina Park are included in the exhibit as well. 

The art will remain on display during normal City Hall business hours from August 5 - 16th. For more information on the exhibit, click here.  

TALK Campaign-Summer on the Hill, MATC & Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Host Career Exposition August 16th, 2013

The Take Action Listen & Know (TALK) Summer Campaign in partnership with MATC and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee will be hosting an Career Exposition for youth ages 11-17 years old. The Expo will present information on career and educational options beyond high school. The Expo will be held at MATC, 700 W. State St. Milwaukee, WI. 53202 Room M605 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Lunch will be provided. For more information and registration, contact Ms. Wilson at Hillside Family Resource Center (414)224-8815


Running Rebels Community Organization invites the public to celebrate 32 years of providing service to the community with the RRCO Anniversary Party Friday August 16th, 2013 @ 4:00 p.m.

The festivities continue with the RRCO Resource Fair & 2013 Rebel Rumble basketball game featuring Rebel Alumni and current Rebels.The fair begins at 10:00a.m. with the Rebel Rumble game at 1:00p.m. Admission for the Rebel Rumble is $3.00.

The Anniversary celebration will conclude with the RRCO Softball Tournament @ the Kinnickinnic Sports Complex 1850 W Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53215 @ 1:00p.m. For more information, contact Running Rebels.

ArtWorks of Milwaukee Seeking Milwaukee County High School Students For Internship Opportunities
ArtWorks is currently seeking Milwaukee County high school students for paid arts-based internships for the upcoming school year. Students the have barriers such as low academic performance, disabilities, and limited access to community connections are encouraged to apply. Applications are due September 9th, 2013 online at www.artworksformmilwaukee.org


VPI partner HYFC will be hosting the 3rd annual End of Summer Celebration Friday August 23rd, 2013. The Celebration will begin with a neighborhood clean up from 10-12 p.m. Followed by the Celebration from 12-3p.m.

Come participate in food, music, and fun as we close out the summer activities in preparation for another school year. For more information on the event and volunteer opportunities, click here.

 
 

Torre Johnson Receives Recognition From City of Milwaukee's Common Council

Mr. Torre Johnson, who has been instrumental in the work of the Holton Youth and Family Center's VPI, recently received recognition as an "Exemplary Model" from Milwaukee's Common Council for his personal and professional efforts in reducing violence and building youth. Congratulations, Torre!

 

  

2013 Summer of Peace Parade & Rally

A rainy summer day didn't deter the Milwaukee's youth and families from coming together in unity to make a stand for peace in the community.

July 26th, 2013 marked the Annual Summer of Peace All City Parade, a collaborative effort of city residents, youth, and many organizations from throughout Milwaukee county with the singular goal of promoting peace and non violence in the community.

The parade gathered at Washington Park with over 200 participants that displayed colorful banners and signs, featuring vibrant floats and sculptured puppets as they marched down Sherman Boulevard to the Mary Ryan Boys and Girls Club.  
                       photo by Shakara Robinson
  
An impromptu change of venue from outdoors to inside the Mary Ryan Boys and Girls Club kept the rally going with encouraging words from Mayor Tom Barrett, which was followed by performances by dancers, musicians, and exhibits with the central theme of saying no to violence. This year marked the 11th annual Summer of Peace event created by Fidel Verdin & Tanya Cromartie-Byrd.  

Fantastic Turnout for 2nd Annual S.T.O.P  Back to School Bash   
The Milwaukee Police Department's
Students Talking it Over with Police (S.T.O.P.) program hosted the 2nd Annual S.T.O.P Bash on the grounds of Miller Park Saturday August 10th, 2013.

The S.T.O.P Bash is a community collaborative effort of many community organizations, local law enforcement, and the business community to prepare the community's youth for an successful school year. The Bash features a school supply giveaway, healthcare resources along with a resource fair providing information on several of the community organizations that serve you and families.


The Bash was also a means of providing youth and law enforcement a means of developing a positive relationships in the community. Both groups were able to interact through music, games, and great food throughout the event.

This year's Bash had an attendance of over two thousand youth and families enjoying the beautiful summer day at Miller Park near Helfaer Field. S.T.O.P. Organizers and partners look forward to building off of the success of this year to plan for a greater event for Milwaukee's youth and families for 2014.  

 
 
Our VPI Partners
  

 

 
  
Research Corner:
 

Zoning for the Public's Health: Using Mixed-Use Zoning to Increase Walkability and Reduce Crime.

Neighborhood design can play a significant role in public health. Recent research explores mixed-use zoning and the laws that impact this type of zoning, and how well-planned zoning could help reduce crime and increase neighborhood walkability-- two outcomes integrally tied to improved public health. In this webinar, presenters will share the latest public health law research that supports these findings, describe a new method for evaluating zoning laws, examine case studies from the East and West coasts, and highlight some of the challenges involved in such policy work.

 

 A webinar to discuss zoning for public health will be August 16th, 2013 1:00-2:00p.m (EST). Featured presenters are the following:
Deborah Lou, Ph.D., (moderator) Program Analyst, Active Living Research, Carol Cannon, M.A., Research Scientist, The CDM Group, Inc. John MacDonald, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Criminology, Director, Jerry Lee Center of Criminology, Associate Professor of Criminology, Rachel Johnson Thornton, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. To register, click here.
 
  
 
Resources:

CDC Finds Youth Homicide Reached 30-Year Low in 7/11/2013

CDC Finds Firearm-Related Suicides Increasing,Homicides Decreasing in Large Metro Areas

The Network for Public Health Law The Network for Public Health Law is launching a new mentorship program in collaboration with Student Network chapters across the U.S. Participating students attending law or graduate school will be matched with public health law professionals. read more...

  
The Attorney General commissioned this report as part of .. 

National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence The Defending Childhood Task Force is composed of 13 leading experts including practitioners, child and family advocates, academic experts, and licensed clinicians...

  
Scientists, policymakers, and advocates are increasingly advised to use "the public health approach" to address myriad social issues, from alcoholism and arthritis to vision care and war. However, it is rarely clear what exactly is meant by "the public health approach." Click here to read the full article from the New England Journal of Medicine. 
  
Defending Childhood Initiative. It details the findings and 56 policy recommendations of the
and is a blueprint for reducing the impact of trauma on children who witness or experience violence.

  

This project is a special funded initiative of the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program, a component of the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin endowment at the Medical College of Wisconsin.