PO Box 3964
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
[email protected]
707.536.1047 | naacpsantarosasonomaco.org
Monday, November 18, 2024
Mayor Rogers and Members of the Santa Rosa City Council City of Santa Rosa
100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Subject: Urgent Request for Support of Measure H Allocation to Violence Prevention Partnership Dear Mayor Rogers and Esteemed Council Members,
I am writing to urge your approval of the proposed agreement with New Hope for Youth (NHFY) to provide Street Outreach and Crisis Response Services under the Violence Prevention Partnership, funded by Measure H. This initiative is a critical investment in public safety, equity, and youth development within our community.
NHFY’s trauma-informed and equity-driven approach, rooted in public health principles, is uniquely positioned to address the alarming rise in youth and gang-related violence, which has intensified post-pandemic. By employing Credible Messengers—trusted individuals with lived experience—this program offers proven strategies such as conflict mediation, victim support, and family engagement. These efforts not only reduce violence but also alleviate the burden on law enforcement and create pathways to success for at-risk youth.
The benefits of this initiative are clear:
● Empowering Youth and Families: NHFY provides vital resources and support to high-risk youth, fostering long-term safety and stability in our neighborhoods.
● Promoting Trauma-Informed Care: The program employs evidence-based strategies to address violence through a public health lens, ensuring equitable access to services. ● Supporting Collaboration: It brings together city stakeholders, law enforcement, and community members to work toward shared safety goals.
● Investing in Credible Messengers: The program’s reliance on individuals with lived experience builds trust and breaks cycles of violence.
● Focusing on Sustainable Solutions: By providing wraparound services, this initiative delivers measurable community benefits while reducing reliance on traditional law enforcement interventions.
I respectfully request that the Council support Item 15.3, approving the funding and partnership agreement for these essential services. The positive impact on our community cannot be overstated.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to the safety and well-being of Santa Rosa’s residents. I look forward to your support of this life-changing initiative.
Sincerely,
Kirstyne A. Lange
President, NAACP Santa Rosa - Sonoma County Branch
About the NAACP:
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy, rooted in grassroots activism by 20th-century civil rights pioneers, is sustained by 21st-century advocates. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our nationwide network works to end race-based discrimination and secure social and political power for all marginalized people. Our commitment is to a world free from racism, where Black communities and all marginalized people thrive. The Santa Rosa - Sonoma County NAACP Branch #1074, chartered in January 1953, is a 501(c)4 civil rights organization.
From: Alcina Horstman
To: CityCouncilListPublic; Rogers, Natalie; CMOffice
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Please approve Item 15.3
Date: Monday, November 18, 2024 7:16:19 PM
I'm writing to ask you all to approve item 15.3 of your agenda for tomorrow's meeting.
Approval of PSA for Street Outreach and Crisis Response Services Let's reduce law enforcement costs and invest in proven services - there is exhaustive research & data on the benefits of violence prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/index.html
https://www.propublica.org/article/are-community-violence-interruption-programs-effective Thank you!
Alcina Horstman (she/her)
"Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach".
Clarissa Pinkola Estes
From: Robin Jurs
To: CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Violence Prevention Partnership
Date: Monday, November 18, 2024 8:23:36 PM
As a resident of Santa Rosa, I am writing in support of the agenda item 15.3 which would approve the funding of the Street Outreach and Crisis Response Team as part of the Violence Prevention Partnership. Count me among those who see this approach as the most effective in addressing issues related to what is happening on the streets of our city with the unhoused and vulnerable. We cannot turn our backs on people in need, especially as the winter is setting in. We also need to have the right kind of interventions and this program provides the kind of wrap around services that are critically needed.
Thank you for your attention to my request for your support.
Robin Jurs
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
From: Kibby MacKinnon
To: CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for violence prevention program Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024 5:52:58 AM
Dear city council members,
We all know the saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." As a teacher, I know that getting families onboard and working together with the school is the best way to ensure learning and growth.
Let's empower youth and families, and give them the resources they need to thrive.
Please support funding for the violence prevention program.
Sincerely,
Kibby MacKinnon
Santa Rosa
From: Jesus Diaz
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment on Item 15.3.
Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024 10:21:11 AM
Attachments: Letter to the city.docx
I apologize, here it is.
Thank you.
On Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 8:09 AM City Council Public Comments <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello – Please send your letter as an attachment (not a hyperlink for security purposes) or copy and pasted within an e-mail.
Sincerely,
Dina Manis
City Clerk.
From: Jesus Diaz
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2024 1:40 PM
To: City Council Public Comments <[email protected]> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment on Item 15.3.
Letter to the City Council
11/18/2024
Santa Rosa City Council
Santa Rosa, California
Subject: Public Comment on item 15.3.
Dear Members of the Santa Rosa City Council,
I am writing to strongly urge the Council to increase funding and institutional support for essential violence prevention programs serving Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, including the Violence Prevention Partnership, Restorative Resources, and the New Hope program. These initiatives are instrumental in addressing the systemic and root causes of violence in our community, yet they remain critically underfunded and constrained in their capacity to expand and meet growing needs.
As you know, violence in its many forms—whether criminal activity, domestic conflicts, or community unrest—poses a profound challenge to public safety and quality of life in Santa Rosa. While law enforcement remains a vital component of our collective response, it is equally imperative that we invest in proactive solutions that address the precursors to violence.
Programs like New Hope demonstrate the power of prevention by providing mentorship, education, and resources to at-risk youth, offering them alternatives to cycles of harm, disengagement, and marginalization.
Additionally, I strongly advocate for the allocation of resources to recruit and train intervention workers with lived experience in overcoming violence and trauma. Such individuals bring unparalleled credibility, empathy, and insight, fostering meaningful connections with vulnerable populations and acting as transformative agents of hope and change.
The benefits of investing in these programs cannot be overstated. Prioritizing violence prevention initiatives will lead to safer neighborhoods, reduced recidivism, stronger community ties, and more positive outcomes in education and mental health. These programs represent not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in our city’s long-term prosperity and cohesion. I respectfully request that the Council prioritize the expansion of these programs in upcoming budget discussions and consider integrating additional funding mechanisms to ensure their sustainability. I would welcome the opportunity to collaborate or provide further insights into the pressing needs of our community and the transformative potential of these initiatives.
Thank you for your commitment to fostering a safer, healthier, and more inclusive Santa Rosa. I trust in your leadership and vision to make these critical investments a reality.
Sincerely,
Jesus Diaz