Good News That You Can Use! ISSUE #2-December 11, 2020 STOP the Violence News & Updates Our purpose is to change the community narrative about violence and stop the spread of the disease of violence in the City of Pittsburgh. While we are concerned as well with the surrounding areas and will share solutions and events in those areas, we only have jurisdiction over the City. Please share this Newsletter with people in your networks. We would like everyone in the City to see it! It will take all of us speaking and working together to STOP the Violence. Solutions: Victim's Assistance Help When You Really Need It Alexandra Abboud, the new Victim’s Assistance Coordinator at the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety and Bureau of Police, has already made an impact in the community. In just four short months, she has: -- Helped a local mother who was repeatedly struggling with her son running away and was struggling to access services due to many barriers including a lack of transportation. She was able to connect them with a local wrap-around agency within walking distance from their house. -- Connected a family who recently lost their son to an overdose to local support groups to guide them in grieving a very painful loss. -- Assisted an elderly woman who was scammed out of large amounts of money to apply for victims’ compensation. Alexandra’s primary role is to support victims of crime. She provides crisis interventions, resource referrals, advocacy, and guidance. In Police Zones 1 and 5, she can identify victims through police reports and takes action to follow up with individuals that might need support whether or not it is related to their incident. In addition, Alexandra is working with local leaders to improve access to social supports and is advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations. She says: “I’m passionate about connecting people with the right resources and other help they need.” Alexandra Abboud, Victim's Assistance Coordinator After earning her MSW degree at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Social Work and becoming a Licensed Social Worker, she began her career as a High School Social Worker in Indianapolis, where she worked with students who were often victims of crimes. Through that work, she witnessed the way in which falling victim to a crime results in pain and trauma. With a passion for serving the community and creating security and safety for every member, she could not be more excited to have taken on the role of the Victim's Assistance Coordinator. She understands that every person has a unique and intricate background that deserves respect. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a reported crime, or for further information, please contact Alexandra at 412-707-2988 or Alexandra.Abboud(a)pittsburghpa.gov. Solutions: MAD DADS Left-President George Spencer The Force Behind The Change Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder or MAD DADS in their green shirts and vests have been a presence on the streets and in the neighborhoods in and around Pittsburgh since 2006. Founded by a team of men led by George Spencer of Wilkinsburg, the greater Pittsburgh chapter of MAD DADS now includes 50 men and a women’s division with 10 members. The primary activity of MAD DADS is their street patrols, where community-minded, volunteer men go to areas in a neighborhood that are known for being trouble spots. While being a presence and possibly deterring some illegal activity, the MAD DADS also form relationships with anyone they encounter and encourage positive activities and share resources they know to be available. You can also find MAD DADS as volunteers at community events and as active participants in community meetings where solutions to violence issues are being discussed. At their monthly meeting at 4:00 pm on the last Saturday of November (held virtually, rather than at their office location at the East Hills Community Center), members reported being involved in 9 events. These included a street patrol in Homewood, food distributions in Wilkinsburg and Homewood, prayer on the streets of Wilkinsburg, attendance at the Faith & Blue Breakfast at Station Square, a special men’s trauma healing session in East Hills, a new men's sharing/support group meeting Monday nights in Homewood, and personal involvement with several young men and families. In 2019, MAD DADS were involved in over 300 activities! Said member Kent Davis of Plum Borough (pictured bottom right at a MAD DADS bicycle repair event in 2019): "I really enjoy engaging with the kids, especially those in East Hills, near our office, that we see repeatedly. There's such a great need to contribute to the community in small and large ways, like communities in the old days when I was young. Youth need role models!" Any drug free man or woman of any age who wants to be a part of the solutions to community problems is eligible to be a member. Annual dues are just $5. To get involved or for more information about MAD DADS locally or nationally, see the Greater Pittsburgh MAD DADS Facebook page or contact President George Spencer at spencer.maddads(a)gmail.com or 412-225-0139. Charles Hamilton and Michael Gregory Celebrating a PIRC Movement member's accomplishment! Solutions: PIRC Movement A Supportive Community for Returning Citizens Positive Initiative to Reinforce Change (PIRC) Movement is a weekly self-help support group run by and intended for individuals reentering the community from incarceration and their families, supporters and other compassionate community members. During the one-hour meeting, participants share resources; network; and set goals for addressing social, relational, intellectual, vocational, spiritual, and emotional needs. PIRC Movement is a project of Foundation of HOPE, a local nonprofit whose mission is to “empower incarcerated and released individuals to restore their relationship with their God, rebuild their lives, and reconcile to their communities.” Staff attend PIRC Movement meetings. Foundation of HOPE also offers a comprehensive array of services to reentering individuals, including basic needs assistance (transportation, clothing, ID’s, toiletries, furniture), housing and employment support and referrals, counseling, and one-on-one mentoring. At each Tuesday night meeting, participants share their experiences with the group. Regular participants enjoy the support and understanding that they receive and this encourages them to keep pursuing their life goals, avoiding trouble! Since we all have life experiences to share, ANYONE (including YOU) is welcome to participate and join! One regular participant is Charles Hamilton, age 74. Charles spent 22 years in prisons before joining PIRC Movement in 2014. He obtained his first solo apartment 20 months ago. Charles says: “PIRC Movement is my community. They’ve been where I’ve been, so they understand the challenges. They care. I’ve enjoyed watching everyone advance and be more successful, even those who have never been to jail. It gives me inspiration!” Due to Covid, PIRC Movement now meets virtually every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Anyone interested in participating or contributing should contact Foundation of HOPE Aftercare at 412-321-3343 or click here to email: PIRC Movement Info. Sister Mary Ellen Williams Save A Life Today at work! Solutions: Save A Life Today Sister Mary Ellen Williams, founder and director of Save A Life Today (or SALT) is a resource for residents of the West End and other neighborhoods of the City of Pittsburgh. “Just a couple of days ago, a mother who’s teenage son’s girlfriend and child didn’t have food, milk or diapers, so we supplied them with food, diapers and milk for the baby and resources so she can function safely on her own” Sister Mary said. “They recognize needs and fill them” said Darnell Drewery of The Shyne Awards Foundation. Save A Life Today Pittsburgh is made up of many programs. They arrange free dental and eye care, dentures and partials and glasses included, for anyone who doesn't have insurance. Their back to school programs offer book bags and school supplies and they have given desktops and laptops to children in need. SALT has a “backpack for the homeless” program that offers personal needs such as socks, gloves, scarves, blankets, and jackets to help people get through the winter. And every year they hold a Christmas program that provides toys, food, and family fun for over 200 families. We also do VIP Christmas, to help families identified by police or firefighters that may have gotten burned out their home or were the victim of theft near Christmastime. In addition, Sister Mary assists the Pittsburgh Outreach team (described in the November 2020 STOP the Violence newsletter) to help reduce violence in the West End neighborhoods. “I’ve seen Sr. Mary interact with family members of shooting victims and calm them down to prevent further violence. She uses her mothering skills to bring peace to her community” says Rev. Cornell Jones, GVI Coordinator for the City of Pittsburgh. SALT’s Christmas celebration is Friday, December 18 at Highmark Stadium. It will include food and toy distribution, all Covid-19 safe. Volunteers and contributions to the Christmas celebration or the other work of Save A Life Today would be greatly appreciated. Any family interested in participating in this year's Christmas program must register by contacting SALT at 412-712-4044 or MightyPraise57(a)gmail.com. [Note: This article is based on an interview conducted with Sister Mary by Darnell Dewery of Shyne Awards Foundation. If you know of a community program whose aim is to reduce violence or increase the sense of self-worth of residents of neighborhoods in the City of Pittsburgh, please contact Darnell at darnelldrewery01(a)hotmail.com. ] Learning: Group Violence Intervention Group Violence Intervention (GVI) is a strategy to reduce shootings and homicides in urban neighborhoods by using a three pronged strategy: law enforcement when necessary, informed street outreach and services to prevent violence, and involved community members reinforcing community norms rejecting violence. For additional information on GVI, including its history and rationale, see this hour-long webinar from Mayors Against Illegal Guns entitled Re-imagining Public Safety: Group Violence Intervention and Intimate Partner Intervention: Webinar. The password is: MA1Guniversity! The first half of the webinar is on GVI, the second half on Intimate Partner Intervention. Pittsburgh’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) violence prevention strategy was featured in the October STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE. It is coordinated directly by GVI Coordinator Rev. Cornell Jones who can be contacted at cornell.jones(a)pittsburghpa.gov. Facts & Stats Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to November 30, 2020. These only cover the City, not the areas of Allegheny County which are outside of the City. A few statistics of note: November was our worst month for homicides in the last two years; non-fatal shootings are up significantly as well; Zone 5 had the most homicides and Zone 1 has the most non-fatal shootings. These statistics remain very alarming and should not be acceptable to community members. We all can play a role in speaking out, offering alternatives, and making sure that our family members and friends know that we will do anything to keep them safe and that gun violence is not an acceptable way to settle any dispute. There is another way! If you are interested in working to change these negative statistics, please contact the STOP the Violence Office. We are especially searching for churches, mosques, synagogues and any other houses of worship that want to play an active role in violence prevention efforts. If you're interested, please click here to let us know: STOP the Violence Office. Every life is irreplaceable and is important to us all! City of Pittsburgh Police Zones Tip for You: Don't Ignore Intimate Partner Threats Many recent shooting victims have been women. Some have involved current or former friends or boyfriends. Violence is not an acceptable method to resolve issues between friends or partners. If there are threats, please seek help! Some resources are in the Domestic Violence Resource Guide which you can access HERE. Previous Newsletters: For past issues of the City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence monthly newsletter: NOVEMBER 2020 OCTOBER 2020 QUICK POLL: How frequently would you like to receive this STOP the Violence Newsletter? Weekly Select Monthly Select Quarterly Select Never Select Do You Have Any Ideas? The Stop the Violence Newsletter is produced monthly by the STOP the Violence Office of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety. Please send any ideas, notices or suggestions to: STOP the Violence Office. Coming Events If you are aware of an anti-violence event that is open to the public, please click HERE to send us a notice or announcement. Thank you. To RSVP for the December 14 Remembrance event, click HERE. To register for the January 9th or February 13th workshops mentioned above, please call Mary Ann at 412-807-1611 or email at: mahvizdos(a)verizon.net. 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