GUN VIOLENCE
Mission: The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center is a unique neighborhood institution that works to improve community problem-solving, collaboration, and inter-group relations in Brooklyn, New York. We work to be an example to the city and the rest of the world of how neighborhoods torn apart by violence can become safe, healthy, and vibrant places for all people through the collaborative efforts of neighbors, government, and community organizations. S.O.S. is a project of the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center and the Center for Court Innovation. S.O.S. Brooklyn staff prevent gun violence from occurring in two target areas within the neighborhoods of Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant by mediating conflicts that may end in gun violence and acting as peer counselors to the people who are at risk of perpetrating or being victimized by violence. S.O.S. teams work closely with neighborhood leaders and businesses to promote a visible and public message against gun violence, encouraging local voices to articulate that shooting is an unacceptable behavior.
Website: http://crownheights.org/sos/how-you-can-help/
Phone: 718-773-6886
Email: kupetza@crownheights.org
What volunteers do:
- attend peace marches or shooting responses (held within 72 hours of a shooting in the catchment area)
- staff block parties, annual Arts to End Violence Gallery Show, annual Back to School Play Street
- event photography
- lead workshops in resume writing, job search, or legal rights
- help with special projects like the S.O.S. calendar or educational videos
Borough: Brooklyn
Mission: Gays Against Guns NY is an inclusive group of LGBTQ people and their allies committed to nonviolently breaking the gun industry's chain of death--investors, manufacturers, the NRA and other lobby groups, and their puppets in Congress that block good gun laws. We strongly believe that bigotry and hate plus easy access to lethal weapons is a deadly combination. We demand sensible and meaningful gun reform such as a ban on assault weapons and background checks on ALL gun sales, including online and at gun shows.
Website: http://www.gaysagainstguns.net
Email: joingagnyc@gmail.com
Phone: n/a
What volunteers do:
- meet biweekly at the LGBT Center
- participate in nonviolent civil disobedience and theatrical direct actions that “name, blame, and shame” gun manufacturers and those who enable them
Borough: Manhattan meetings; actions across city
Mission: Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense is a national grassroots organization committed to reducing gun violence through evidence-based, common-sense solutions. Part of Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action envisions a country where all children and families are safe from gun violence. We believe that the second amendment can coexist with strategies designed to prevent gun violence. For too long, the gun lobby has dominated the conversation about gun violence. American families are being destroyed and we have had enough; we will no longer stand by and let elected officials, corporate leaders and other influential voices turn their back on sensible gun laws and policies. We are educating, motivating, and mobilizing supporters to take action that will result in stronger laws and policies to save lives. And you don't have to be a mom to be a "Mom"!
Website: www.momsdemandaction.org
Email: newyork@momschapterleaders.org
Phone: n/a but you can text JOIN to 644-33 to become a member
What volunteers do:
- phonebank into other states to patch calls through from voters to their legislators
- write letters to the editor
- participate in Lobby Day in Albany
- meet with US and state-level representatives in district
- get trained to give presentations about storing guns safely (see www.besmartforkids.org)
- help plan and volunteer at meetings, film screenings and other events, like the annual Wear Orange activities and annual Brooklyn Bridge March
Mission: Street Corner Resource’s mission is to eliminate gun and gang violence and to create a more peaceful community by providing teenagers and young adults greater access to real employment, education, training and other resources to assist them in their positive development. Street Corner Resources was recently selected to operate the Cure Violence initiative in Central Harlem. Cure Violence (previously known as CeaseFire) stops the spread of violence in communities by using the methods and strategies associated with disease control – detecting and interrupting conflicts, identifying and treating the highest risk individuals, and changing social norms.
Website: http://scrnyc.org/contact/
Phone: 917-421-0557 or 212-694-8759
Email: info@streetcornerresources.org or Abdul-Kareem Muhammad Akmuhammad.scr@gmail.com
What volunteers do:
- research grant and funding opportunities
- write grant proposals
- coordinate email and mail solicitations
- coordinate fundraising campaigns
- coordinate fundraising events
- (legal counsel) advise on legal and corporate matters
- assist with accounting/auditing
- youth counselor
- mentor
- life coach
- non-profit organizational advisor
- general office support (file, answer phones, send correspondence)
Borough: Manhattan