NEWS & EVENTS
Austin American Statesman Article about ATX Peace
August 2023
Guzman Escobar was at Chicano Park in March when he noticed people running toward him. Someone yelled, "They're shooting!" Then he got hit.
The bullet ricocheted inside him, hitting his colon, then his pelvis and then his back, where it remains to this day. Someone patched him up quickly before he got to the hospital. Had he waited five to 10 more minutes, he would have died, the doctor told him.
It will be another year or two before he's healed, and he still walks with a cane.
Revenge was the first thing on Escobar's mind, though police had already arrested the suspect in the shooting. Escobar grew up in East Austin, frequently getting into fights and being locked up. But he didn't want to see the same future for his 13-year-old son — especially after being moments away from death.
To Read The Full Article Click The Link Below
White House Senior Advisor Visits ATX Peace
July 2023
Austin’s Community Violence Intervention (CVI) partners were fortunate to host Eddie Bocanegra in Austin to review the work his office is doing at the National level, and he provided insight into how we can further enhance ATXPeace. Eddie is the Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, and he helps to oversee the Community Violence Prevention programming for the Biden Administration. He is strong supporter and advocate for this work, and we are grateful to partner with him.
CVI Support At The White House
July 2023
ATXPeace was the only Community Violence Intervention program in the state of Texas asked to come to the White House to talk about the work we have been doing in Austin. Such an incredible opportunity to learn and establish new partners.
Georgian Manor Summer Fun
July 2023
Georgian Manor Housing Authority reached out to ATXPeace for assistance in sponsoring a Summer Fun bash for the children that live there. ATXPeace has a strong relationship with the housing authority and is continuing to build deeper ties with the families that live there.
CVIPI Cohort
July 2023
Jail to Jobs, a co-operator of ATXPeace, was selected as the only organization in Texas to participate in the FIRST national CVI Training & Technical Assistance (TTA) Cohort. Jail to Jobs is honored to be selected and has already received TTA on navigating real-world shooting scenarios that have occurred in Austin over the past month. The Cohort was funded under the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) to provide TTA. By participating in the CVI Cohort, Jail to Jobs will receive support to develop critical areas of CVI organization and participation. Jail to Jobs and ATXPeace are grateful to READI National Center for Safe Communities and Dr. Chico Tillmon for continual support, advocacy, and recognition of violence intervention work happening in Austin, TX.
Gun Violence Prevention Summit
June 2023
ATXPeace partnered with Community Justice Action Fund and Cities United to host Austin’s 2nd Annual Gun Violence Prevention Summit. The Summit commenced with Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Council Member Alison Alter presenting proclamations to Community Justice Action Fund, Jail to Jobs, and Life Anew. Austin City Council members said government leaders, police and local justice officials need to work together to address violent crime in Austin. “It is a time when we have a responsibility to act. We can’t just look to the federal and the state level and say they’re going to fix it by changing our gun laws. We have to do what we can,” Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter said. The Summit continued with speaker panels addressing:
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The history of gun violence reduction and the CVI Ecosystem in Austin/Travis County
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An inside look at violence prevention in our community
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Intersection of interpersonal violence and gun violence
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State legislative updates
The Summit concluded that Austin/Travis County is serious about formulating a gun violence prevention coalition with strong partnerships to drastically decrease the rate of violence.
Gun Violence Prevention Summit - A Closer Look
June 2023
Following the Gun Violence Summit, local leaders, advocates and ATXPeace partners gathered at the base of operations in Georgian Acres to take a closer look into the work being done by ‘boots on the ground’ staff. Participants currently enrolled in the ATXPeace program in Georgian Acres were excited to show guests first-hand how their work and support impacts their lives and the neighborhood. Current ATXPeace participants also heard local leaders reinforce their commitments to support the ATXPeace program and their success. We were also lucky enough to have ATXPeace participants working with Salt Kitchen to provide delicious bites for the event. It was a beautiful day of bringing together partners dedicated to the ATXPeace Ecosystem.
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Training
March 2023
ATXPeace staff received training from industry expert Chico Tillmon, PhD, executive director of Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI) Chicago. Dr. Tillmon is a highly credible instructor with decades of experience including on-the-ground work and lived-experience in the field of CVI. He shared vital instruction to taking a public health approach to CVI, building a comprehensive ecosystem for violence prevention in Austin, implementing strategies for de-escalation and mediation, operating a trauma-informed approach, the importance of staff wellness, safety protocols, and collecting comprehensive program documentation. The ATXPeace team is grateful to Dr. Tillmon and to Austin’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) who continues to be essential in coordinating CVI training for ATXPeace to further decrease violence in Austin neighborhoods in a safe, strategic, and effective manner.
Community Coat & Clothing Drive
February 2023
ATXPeace partnered with local non-profit, Kerby’s Clothing Ministry, to provide coats and clothing to Georgian Acres community members. Kerby is a valuable partner with a Texas-sized heart. He provides clothing, care & support across Austin. ATXPeace is grateful to all of the Jail to Jobs donors for the outpour of coats donated to this event, which brought about new community relationships and provided an opportunity for neighborhood residents to learn more about the ATXPeace program. Check out Kerby’s Clothing Ministry on Facebook @Kerby’sClothingMinisitry.
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Training
January 2023
ATXPeace staff received training from the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR). This incredible training conference was led by two nationally recognized industry leaders on the forefront of Community Violence Intervention (CVI), Keiland Henderson and Darcell Harrison. ATXPeace is grateful to Austin's Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) for making this training available to the program team and for leading the charge to reduce violence in Austin.
Georgian Acres Community Event
December 2022
Photos
FOX 7 News: December 2022
