“Safer Together” Initiative Unveiled In Hampton Roads To Address Gun Violence

Gun violence has devastated our country, our communities, and our families. In a recent Facebook post, Sentara Health shared that the Norfolk General trauma program will treat more than 500 victims of gun violence and assault this year alone.Many organizations committed to gun violence prevention are doing great work in the Hampton Roads community, including C.L.E.A.N. (Citizens Learning About Neighborhoods), The Berkley Timberwolves Football and Youth Sports organization and Malon’s Project Inc.However, with gun violence becoming more prevalent everyday there is more work to be done, more lives to impact, and more organizations and individuals willing to heed the call. Recently, an initiative “Safer Together” to answer the call was unveiled to the public at a gathering at Norfolk State University.“Safer Together,” a Gun Prevention and Intervention initiative, is designed to serve Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Newport News and Hampton. This initiative will work with community-based organizations (CBOs), hospitals, and academia to reduce community violence in Southeastern Virginia.