A local program that tries to help those most at risk to be part of gun violence down a different path has started it's latest "call-in." More on the CU Fresh Start program from their website here, or a Cheat Sheet overview here. From the News-Gazette last week:
CU Fresh Start's fourth 'call-in' group has six membersMore at the full article here. A previous story on the last call-in here.
At the community's fourth CU Fresh Start "call-in" intervention to stop local gun violence, facilitator Tracy Parsons acknowledged that the program continues trying to find its footing.
At Thursday night's event, part of a broad initiative to curb a spate of shootings locally, a group of six black men heard stern messages from local law enforcement, government and community members. The men were encouraged to put their guns down in exchange for resources that can help rebuild their lives.
The men — selected by law enforcement — are all at least 18 years old, on probation or parole, connected with a recent violent crime and have a prior felony arrest, gun arrest or violent crime conviction...
Those who commit to Fresh Start will work with community liaison Donte Lotts. He transports them to job interviews and help them get in touch with new opportunities. But he said it isn't easy to work around employers who won't hire those with conviction records, or temp agencies that don't help with finding sustained employment.
"It's a community decision on how supportive we're going to be of these men," Lotts said. "If they're staying away from guns, then what will the benefits be?"
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