Sonelia is an active partner of the City of Springfield Mayor's Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force. Read the below for more information on the Task Force.
The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force Peace first. VISION A city in which all citizens live free of violence. MISSION The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force is a collective of committed people who collaborate to: develop prevention strategies, interventions, and solutions to reduce violence; promote public safety by incorporating proven and innovative practices of community partnerships; and affect positively the youth, families, residents, and community partners of the city of Springfield. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force will focus on the below three primary strategic priorities. Each priority will be supported by related activities. Communication and Coordination Increase communication, coordination, and collaboration among all partners and activities to strengthen neighborhoods; increase public awareness of the resources and strategies available to combat and reduce violence; and increase branding and maintain a visible presence of support for city and community. Youth Leadership Empower and support youth in leading and developing violence prevention strategies and activities. Best Practices Create and/or incorporate practices that are systematic, professional, data-based, and valuable; model and present practices to public in socially accessible way; and evaluate progress and achievements based on responsiveness to community priorities by addressing the specific desired outcomes. The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force Peace first. COMPOSITION The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force is representative of:
Youth and Families
Residents and Community Partners
Businesses
City Departments and Bureaus
Non-profit Organizations
Faith Communities
Neighborhood Coalitions and Civic Associations and Organizations
Public/private Housing Organizations
Public/private Primary and Higher Education and Training Organizations
Federal and Local Law Enforcement Services
Public/private Health and Social Services
Arts and Culture Organizations
Athletic Organizations
The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force Peace first. Programs Though the Task Force (TF) will be engaging in assorted activities that support the three Strategic Priorities and the initiatives of community partners (as time and resources allow), the Task Force will focus on the below projects.
The Officials Club Youth Boxing Program is a hands-on, “Old School” boxing program designed to support Springfield middle and high school students. The program teaches discipline; fosters teamwork; and instills character, focus, and strategic-thinking, all of which are critical elements in supporting academic and personal successes. The program promotes positive resolutions to conflict and contributes to violence prevention in the schools and community.
Springfield Unites walking campaign is intended to conduct “Walking Days” the first Tuesday of each month to encourage community members to walk more for leisure or necessity, as a means to promoting neighborliness, peace, and health and wellness. Every July there is a Springfield Unites kickoff event at Forest Park to celebrate and encourage neighborliness and community engagement.
The Chill Spot open gyms program provides free access for youth to supervised and structured evening programs in select locations across the City. Initial resources will allow for 3 months of programming to coincide with Winter months when youth are less likely to “play” outside.
Character RISEis a Citywide Youth Character Development Program whose Mission is to facilitate for the City of Springfield a comprehensive, consistent, and outcomes-based character development initiative through the education of, support from, and collaboration with youth, parents/guardians, families, and community, school, and business leaders.
P.E.A.C.E – Peace through Education Acceptance Courage and Expressionis a poetry/hip hop collaboration with local artist Maurice Taylor. PEACE uses an engaging accessible mode for reaching and teaching students literacy – reading and writing and expression. Successfully piloted with Elias Brookings Magnet School.
Youth Leadership and Community Forums are community forums that educate and inform citizens of appropriate preventative measures, responses, and strategies related to issues of violence. Guest speakers and/or panels may be convened to respond to questions and comments from the community.
Peace Month is a proposed annual event in June to highlight National Peace Awareness Month and promote peacefulness across the City by raising awareness for the Task Force and modeling/providing simple ways to demonstrate kindness. Activities include: Press Conference with Mayor to announce Peace Week; participation in Annual MLK events. Promote activities to all sectors and individuals/orgs throughout the city. Have no requirements for participation – can be as much or little or as big or small, just so long as citizens recognize peace.
Mayor’s Neighborhood Walks are walks through targeted neighborhoods to meet with the people from those neighborhoods to assess needs of same and offer resources to address those needs. These walks also are intended to promote data collection for informing decisions and programming respective to the neighborhood.
Annual Community Leadership Luncheonis intended to engage Legislators and Leaders in learning more about the Task Force and subsequently supporting Task Force activities or at least being accessible and open to Task Force input on relevant issues. Also intended for informing and engaging “Academics” in connecting with higher education resources in supporting Task Force programming and activities, and for informing and engaging Financial Institutions in connecting with financial resources in supporting Task Force programming and activities.
The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force Peace first. Below are sample ways to be peaceful. Though they may seem simplistic, the Task Force feels it is necessary to return to the basics of kindness in raising awareness for peace.
Hug a family member, friend, pet, or stuffed animal.
Bring lunch to a colleague or friend.
Wear white.
Say hello to a stranger.
Sing songs.
Be silly.
Have a funny faces contest.
Write a poem.
Take some deep breaths.
Encourage a youth to stay in school.
Take a walk.
Draw a picture.
Say stop to a bully.
Dance.
Invite someone to “play” or join you for an activity.
Help a neighbor carry groceries.
Clean your house or room.
Help with the dishes.
Write a “thank you” note.
Call a family member or friend just to say hello.
Share a funny story.
Bring flowers or drawings to a sick relative or friend.
Visit a hospital or nursing home.
Tell someone you love them.
Partner with a local school.
Smile.
Teach someone (how to read, tie shoes, play soccer).
Read The Peace Book by Todd Parr.
For additional information regarding The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force, please contact Facilitator Darryl Moss at 413.787.6100 or Member Gianna Allentuck at 703.930.0243. The Mayor’s Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force Peace first. Meeting Calendar
Every Second Tuesday of Each Month from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at: Springfield Public Schools Central Office 2nd Floor Large Conference Room 1550 Main Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01103 Bring Photo ID. Plan time for street and/or metered parking.
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