KAVI | Kings Against Violence Initiative

While it can be difficult to grow with a smaller team, leaning on partners for support can help nonprofits reach operational goals. Read more at https://hubs.li/Q02HT2vp0 Post Written By: Jonathan Prosser of Compassion UK, Vicki Burkhart of The More Than Giving Company, Patrick Riccards of Driving Force Institute, Aaron Alejandro of Texas FFA Foundation, Kimberly Kindig of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada, Gabe Cooper of Virtuous, Dr. Tara Chalakani of Preferred Behavioral Health Group, Michael Horowitz of The Community Solution Education System, Sherry Quam Taylor of QuamTaylor, Laura MacDonald of Benefactor Group, Christopher Washington, Ph.D. of Franklin University, Ramik Williams of KAVI (Kings Against Violence Initiative), Courtney Smith of Detroit Phoenix Center, Kimberly Lewis of Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc., Erin Santos-Primis of Isabella Santos Foundation, Robert Santana, MBA of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, Dorothy Gibbons of The Rose, Ladi Stephen of Chemonics International, Nick Goodson of Paraply, and Erin Thibodeaux-Davison, MBA (She/Her) of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana

Earlier this week, we were honored to host representatives from across the country who gathered to see Dr. Gore speak and discuss the impactful work being done in our hospital. It was an inspiring event that highlighted our ongoing commitment to community health and violence prevention. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Our KAVI team joined the S.O.S Brooklyn team for a special anti-violence event hosted by the Biggie Experience, an interactive exhibit honoring the rapper and Brooklyn icon Notorious B.I.G. Participants from the Save Our Streets programs toured the educational space that celebrates and explores Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy and heard from guest speakers from KAVI as well as CAMBA to learn about the impact of the gun violence epidemic that claimed the rapper's life nearly three decades ago.

KAVI | Kings Against Violence Initiative has been working with the Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus NYCHA developments since July, 2023 under The Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) program. MAP is a three year, comprehensive neighborhood-based strategy which enlists residents, City agencies and community-based partners like KAVI to work together to address factors underlying safety, and provide opportunities for work and play, health and well-being, and youth development; as well as to promote activated, well-maintained spaces for the community. Wyckoff Gardens and KAVI were awarded a VIBE grant by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety to install a mural in the community, and the residents chose to honor Samyia Spain, a 19 year old resident who was murdered in an horrific attack against she and her sister after coming home from a party in March. In total, 55 individuals who have been lost from the community are honored alongside Samyia. We had just three months to secure an artist, support the project concept development & design creation, get community feedback and install the mural in a 244sq ft space. The stakeholders selected @TraciMalloy, a fantastic artist and educator with an extensive background in community artworks and engaging individuals who have experienced trauma. Traci brought beautiful imagery and skillful navigation of emotionally vulnerable circumstances.  Traci and her team, with assistance from Wyckoff residents and KAVI staff, installed this massive mural in the development in less than 30 days! This project is the culmination of self-determination, community advocacy, successful collaboration, and so much hard work. Proud!

Today in honor of #gunviolenceawarenessmonth , KAVI planted a Northern Red Oak tree in front of Kings County Hospital as a living tribute to honor the memory of the lives that were taken by gun violence. We were honored to be joined by our founder Dr. Rob Gore, the CEO of Kings County and the Nursing staff from the Kings County Emergency Department and Trauma Department.

We were featured on FOX5 NY yesterday, discussing KAVI's efforts to combat interpersonal violence in our communities. Check it out below if you missed it live! https://lnkd.in/eT8GFBXU