CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – City leaders from the Champaign City Council led a gun violence response meeting Monday afternoon at Garden Hills Academy. In addition to members of the community who have lost a relative to gun violence, or who want to do what they can to combat gun violence in the community, support groups and community groups were in attendance. Leading the discussion was Champaign Community Relations Manager Jorge Elvir, as well as the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint Parners. Among the representatives at the meeting were collaborators of the initiative, including Carle Foundation Hospital, the Trauma and Resilience Initiative, First Followers, and Unit 4 School District.
The attendees divided into groups of five, and one person led the notetaking and discussion among each group. The findings will be compiled and relayed to City of Champaign leadership. Champaign leadership included Champaign City Manager Dorothy David, Deputy City Manager Joan Walls, District 5 Councilwoman Vanna Pianfetti, District 3 Councilman Jamar Brown, Deputy Mayor-At-large Will Kyles, At-Large Councilwoman Kathy Shannon, as well as Ward 2 Urbana City Councilman Christopher Evans.
Dr. Pianfetti stalked about how the partners are working hard to collaborate with different agencies and groups to keep the community safe. “Through the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint, we have been we have been bringing a lot of community organizations together that really know what’s needed to help support the entire community – both proactively and reactively for when violence does occur. I think we have seen a reduction, and I think these community organizations are stepping up to bring hope and to bring support to the community.”
More than 40 community members attended the discussion to express their concern and help discuss community solutions to gun violence.