The Safety Union - 11/11

COMMUNITY EVENT
Updated Nov. 11

Thanks to those who could make it, including Chris Singer (MPT), Sgt. Joe Dionise (LPD), Matthew Mathis, Esq. (Legal Advisor to the LPD), Elise Harvey (Peace Education Center), Erica Schmittdiel (MSU Safe Place), Beth (neighborhood watch member), Earl Robinson (resident), and newly elected City Council Members A'Lynne Robinson and Eric Hewitt.

And thanks to WILX for running a story about the event on the six o'clock news, Nov. 11, addressing the prevention of violence against women!

The Safety Union is a problem-solving session about neighborhood safety and preventing violence against women on Sun., Nov. 11, 3-5pm at the Gone Wired Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Neighbors from across the city and anti-violence advocates will sound off progress about safety goals, share challenges, and problem-solve strategies. Resources will be provided by advocates and officials.

Confirmed guests include:

* Addition! Eric Hewitt - New Council Member for Ward 1
* Addition! The NorthStar Center - from the Eastside
* Robin Mulligan - daughter of murder victim Stanley Patlu
* A'Lynne Robinson - At-Large Rep. for Lewton Rich Neighborhood Association
* Julie Thorne - loved one of murder victim Richard Leach
* Jillian Pastoor - Community Relations Coordinator for EVE Inc.
* Sharon Dade - Social Services Senior Manager for Volunteers of America Michigan
* MSU Safe Place
* Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program
* Chris Singer - Michigan Peace Team
* Sgt. Joseph Dionise - LPD, North Precinct
* Matthew Mathis - Legal Advisor for the LPD
* Carol Wood - At-Large Council Member

FORMAT

There won't be any speakers as there were at the SPEAK OUT for Safety. Instead, there will be a lot of conversation in a large group and in small groups.

The specific topics under the umbrella of neighborhood safety and preventing violence against women will depend upon who attends the event. Individuals will bring their own agendas in that sense. The advocates and officials joining us are bringing resources and, hopefully, will serve as resources themselves in problem solving challenges that residents are facing.

The session stands behind the fact that we as a community are able to assist one another in pursuing our safety goals, even when we come across "a brick wall" in the process.

• The first half hour will be an informal time for individuals to make their own introductions, as well as for residents to seek out the present advocates and officials.


• By 3:30pm, the large group dialogue will begin to identify specific issues that people are "bringing to the table."


• Then small groups will deliberate the issues raised by the present persons.

In small groups, I will encourage a "talking circle" format, where crosstalk waits until every person has had their say on the matter at hand. If time allows, we will debrief as a large group before concluding the session.