Reducing Gun Violence by Taking Action Locally

“What Euclid is doing is innovative,” said Dr. Prakash Ganesh, Medical Director for the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. “I keep telling other cities to look at what Euclid is doing when they ask me about reducing violence in their communities.”

What is innovative about Euclid’s HOPE Task Force violence reduction efforts?

It’s our commitment to building on the skills and assets of our community instead of the traditional “needs-based” approach to community development. When a city’s leadership focuses on problems and deficiencies, the solution is to develop programs and services to meet community needs. This makes its residents the recipients of services instead of engaged participants in the process of building a strong, safe community.

Historically, when a community is struggling, there is a perception that the problems of the community are caused by the people in the community. Sound familiar?

In contrast, Asset Based Community Development research shows that neighborhood action is most effective when residents lead the way.

This assets-based approach will be the foundation of the HOPE Task Force community engagement strategy, which was approved unanimously on May 8. Community listening sessions are being planned for this summer, pending funding.

Task Force members have begun the process of asset mapping to identify people, organizations and resources that we hope to engage over the next several months. This will be expanded through the summer community listening sessions and a city-wide Peacemaker event in August. Once a shared vision is established, based on residents’ concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams, the Task Force efforts will shift toward implementation.

Want to learn more?

Visit hopetaskforce.org or join us at the Guns to Gardens Safe-Surrender Buy Back event on June 10 at Church of the Epiphany, 21000 Lakeshore Blvd., from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.