United for Change & Peace

Each year for the past ten years, there have been over 100 homicides in greater Cleveland. The high number of homicides and shootings continue. The average number of homicides for the period 2020 through 2022 is 218. While there are many noteworthy individual efforts and action to combat the crisis of crime and gun violence, we support unity and strong collaboration amongst activists to magnify the impact and outreach of our efforts.

Together We Rise is a coalition of activist individuals and organizations dedicated to community work and advocacy for ending gun violence. M-PAC Cleveland facilitated several community conversations surrounding Gun Violence in Cleveland among groups and individuals which led to the official start of Together we Rise on September 9, 2021.

Objectives:

(1) To collaborate and share strengths among groups to address gun violence prevention, gun legislation, and healing for survivors.

(2) To provide a space to share information about events and activities that address gun violence prevention, gun legislation, and healing for survivors.

We are:

Working together to engage and empower our neighborhoods to address needs, questions and concerns surrounding gun violence, crime, and social injustice.

Advocating for change that will improve and enhance our neighborhoods.

Providing resources and information along with crime alternative activity

We welcome individuals and organizations dedicated to advocacy and activism for reducing crime and gun violence in our communities.

Call To Action

Cleveland will lead the nation in the reduction of crime and gun violence within the next 3-5 years (2023 – 2028).

PROJECTS AND ACTVITIES

Project Ripple – advocacy for declaring gun violence as a public health crisis; provides holistic strategy for addressing the crisis of crime.

Project Ripple news story feature January 1, 2024 https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/new-year-brings-new-funding-organizations-reduce-violence/95-47fb6280-03fe-4dca-b0de-96ab43141907

Peace, Hope & Healing Community Walk Project – engage and empower neighborhoods regarding needs, questions and concerns surrounding gun violence and crime. Offer resources and make referrals. Reduce gun violence and crime. Restore and rebuild community camaraderie and trust.

East Cleveland Walk for Peace, Hope & Healing – November 5

Youth Activities – engage youth in positive and educational activities and events.

Gun Violence Awareness Month (June) – enhance awareness; provide information and resources.

2023 Accomplishments

Projects, Activities, & Events

Peace, Hope, & Healing Phase II (East Cleveland) – conducted a community empowerment and education symposium on February 25. Topics: Mental Health, Financial Literacy, Human Trafficking and Voting.

Election Day and Voting Information Forum – non-partisan election day and voting information for voters in underserved communities. In partnership with M-PAC, conducted 4 community election and candidate forums in addition to canvassing neighborhoods to share information on election changes and issues. Forum events were held on August 3, September 9, September 22 and October 29.

Nonprofit Organizational Fitness Workshop Series – conducted 5 workshops on key topics for nonprofit organizational fitness. Workshops were held May through September on the fourth Tuesday. Recordings available here: Nonprofit Organizational Fitness. Topics: 501c3 Application and Fiscal Sponsorship, Record Keeping, Finding Grants and Grant Writing, Strategic Planning, and Budgeting.

Gun Violence Awareness Month (June) – hosted a series of activities and events to enhance awareness on gun violence. The month of activities began with the annual Survivor Walk on June 3. Activities also included a Prayer Vigil and Resource Event for gun violence survivors, families, and friends; a gun violence summit; healing Wednesdays; and the Zen Zone land blessing event.

Advocacy Activities

Cleveland City Council Meeting Testimony – Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis – February 27

Supported CSSJ Survivors Speak 2023 – March 15

Supported Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day – March 22

Delivered information packets to State legislators – March 22

Testimony Cleveland City Council Safety Committee Meeting – Ordinance 486-2023 – May 10

SUPPORTERS

M-PAC Cleveland

Stop the Pain, Inc.

Survivors and Victims of Tragedy, Inc.

I’m a Survivor Mission

Brady United Against Gun Violence, Cleveland Chapter

Howard Huskies

Feed The Soul

Black on Black Crime, Inc.

Black Woman’s Army

Families in Pursuit of Healing

Love Train Ministries

Stoney in the City

Coalition for a Better Life, dba Peace in the Hood, Inc.

Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance

Moms Demand Action Cleveland

Speakezie, Go Hard

Positive Energy Lifestyle

Helping to Overcome Systems LLC

New Era Cleveland

Pound 4 Profit

Renew Cle

Re-Entry Alumni Association

Urban Empowerment Outreach

Harvard Community Center

Strong Hands United

Brenda Glass Trauma Center

Rivers in the Desert

The Musketeer Association

Alluzions

Big In The Arts Outreach

True West Homes

Peacock Properties LLC

Contact Us

togetherwerisecle@gmail.com

We welcome individuals and organizations dedicated to advocacy and activism for reducing crime and gun violence in our communities.