This summer I was invited to participate in the Northside Safe and Thriving Steering Committee. The City of Madison received a grant from the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Several Northside partners are combining their resources in an effort to prevent and respond to children being exposed to violence. The committee is working together to create a strategic plan that will best utilize the budget allocated and reach a desired outcome of reduced violence in our area.
Once the workgroup’s plan is finalized, it will be presented to the community. At the public meeting, feedback will be gathered. This commentary will be added to the report and it will be sent to the federal award management team. Once the plan is approved by them, we will be able to implement it here on the Northside. This will likely be in January 2018.
While it is not a fast process and will not resolve all of the issues with the increased violence we are seeing in our neighborhoods, I am grateful that the group of dedicated community leaders is coming together to focus on the Northside. With leadership from our Community Navigators, we can begin to build the relationships necessary to create a stronger and safer community. Coming together at a table and identifying problems is the first step in creating solutions.
Please let me know if you have ideas or concerns regarding this project. I will be happy to add your thoughts to the process and the conversation.
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or issues. I can be reached at 335-6827 or ritt.michele@countyofdane.com.
