Greetings from Nicole Anderson-Cobb, PhD, Outreach Coordinator of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence in Central Illinois. I hope this message reaches you well. As the nation continues to struggle over state and national gun legislation in the wake of tragedies at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the countless daily shootings across Illinois and the nation and now the bombing of the Boston Marathon, we at the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) believe it is time for deep reflection regarding gun violence in American life. Thus, we are inviting you to participate in a yearlong project we are launching across Central Illinois entitled: “THE TERROR AMONG US: EXPLORING GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICAN CULTURE” Beginning this spring, this year-long exploration will allow us to partner with organizations across the state---particularly here in Central Illinois---to examine how gun violence locally, nationally and globally has affected/is affecting Illinois communities. Thus, we are inviting you to co-sponsor an event of your choosing with the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) that will allow for your organization and its supporters to do the following: A.) Reflect on gun violence, B.) Discuss gun violence during the event. C.) Consider strategies on gun violence reduction in American culture. To this end, consider co-sponsoring one of the following kinds of events: ---Host a worship service, vigil or day of contemplation in your community of faith; ---Invite a speaker to your organization to focus on the impacts of gun violence from varied perspectives (public health, mental health, education and youth development, community relations, economic development criminal justice, faith & worship, civic life, art and culture etc.,); ---Curate an art exhibit that focuses on gun violence---Screen a film and host a post-screening public discussion for audiences---Sponsor a spoken-word, poetry, play reading or performance event---Encourage your organization to host a meeting, panel or conference on the subject of gun violence and how it intersects with YOUR organization’s mission/institutional focus and objectives---Offer a concert that focuses on gun violence ---Organize a project for to raise awareness of issues related to gun violence affecting children or youth---Invite family members of gun violence victims to share their experiences with your organization---Select a book that examines gun violence for your book club/reading group ---Host law-enforcement gun safety training for your group---Plan a lobby day to visit your elected officials locally ---Set aside a day to phone bank and send letter to contact elected officials expressing concerns about gun violence---Gather to send cards of support to families who have lost loved ones or survived injuries due to gun violence---Organize a walk/march to canvas and spread awareness about gun violence***Host a fundraiser (rummage sale, fashion show, walk-a-thon, auction, gala, etc.,) where proceeds raised could go to both of our organizations …. And more….These are just a few suggestions of the kinds of projects that you could consider for your event. But feel free to THINK BIG and plan other kinds of events that would best serve your group or organization. We at the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) have approached your organization because of your prior support of our work; or because you have expressed interest in supporting our efforts. Furthermore, you have also been selected because we know your organization to be a leader in our community and would support efforts for reflection, discussion and strategizing to reduce gun violence---a concern at the center of debates about our civic life across the nation. If you would like to meet to further discuss programming, planning, logistics, please contact me via email at [email protected] ; or to schedule a meeting with me, feel free to reach me at 217-550-9168. Also, feel free to share this information with other individuals or organizations that you know that might be interested in such an opportunity. Thank you for all the work you do and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Nicole Anderson Cobb, PhD, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence Outreach Coordinator (ICHV) 1717 W. Kirby Ave., Suite #386, Champaign Illinois 61821 Email: [email protected] //Phone: 217-550-9168//Website: ichv.org//Twitter: https://twitter/NoGunViolence Facebook: https://facebook/pages/Illinois-Council-Against-Handgun-Violence/170369186351846?id=170369186351846&sk=info
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:08:34 +0000
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