POIC Taking Action to Fight Gun Violence
POIC’s Community Care Team meets with CNN’s Ryan Young.
As the threat of gun violence continues to plague Portland and shows no sign of stopping, POIC's rigorous efforts to heal and prevent the violence have not gone unnoticed. Both locally and nationally, the innovative and crucial work of our Community Care Team is getting notice.
"One thing I have heard throughout my life is that ‘hurt people HURT people.’ The escalating violence our community is experiencing says that too many people are hurting - more than I have ever seen." - Joe McFerrin II, POIC + RAHS President and CEO
As a longtime Portland resident, Joe knows that healing our community during this moment of crisis is essential. Through the Public Safety Village, 14 Black-led grassroots organizations are now building their capacity to curb violence effectively, providing sustainable solutions. POIC's efforts and those of The Village are key in meeting the community's needs to help address the public health crisis of gun violence.
"We are making a difference by collaborating with culturally specific community-based organizations to increase access to mental health services and rely on lived experience," Joe continues. "All while doing what we do best: offering job opportunities to young adults. We are keeping them busy and affirming that a job is one of the best social service ways to help someone."
The community's urgent need for healing and support will not go unheard. Those closest to the problem are undoubtedly closer to the solution. Our work proves that.
Life Coach, Rosalee talks to CNN’s Ryan Young.
National Spotlight
CNN features our POIC Community Care Team and their commitment to intervening and connecting with vulnerable youth before it escalates to violence. View the segment and read the article here.
Joe McFerrin II, POIC + RAHS CEO/president, said, "Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.”
County Calls for Action
Multnomah County leaders gather in an urgent press conference to help reduce the sharp spike in gun violence across Portland. POIC + RAHS CEO and President Joe McFerrin II shared how community-based solutions can combat the devastating public health crisis through long-term fixes. Watch the entire press conference here.
Hiag Brown, Co-Director of the Community Care Team and Healing Hurt People, shares his lived experience with @violencepreventionpdx and Commissioner @jessicavegapederson and her team.
City Tour with POIC
The City of Portland’s Office of Violence Prevention team, Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson, and POIC Community Care Team Co-Director Hiag Brown visit various neighborhoods directly impacted by the increase of community violence. Haig shares his lived experience to help emphasize the need for investment and support for these neighborhoods. See OVP’s post here.
