This summer, NC OVP hosted a series of community violence prevention meetings across the middle, eastern, and western regions of the state. These gatherings brought together violence prevention professionals to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and strengthen regional alignment in the effort to address community violence.
Participants had the opportunity to learn about ongoing initiatives in neighboring counties, engage in meaningful networking, and exchange practical strategies and insights. The meetings featured a dynamic mix of presentations, panel discussions, and group activities designed to deepen understanding and spark innovation.
Through facilitated discussions, attendees explored the core components of an effective ecosystem. In small group sessions, they worked collaboratively to identify actionable next steps tailored to building and enhancing efforts within their own counties.
A highlight across all meetings was a hands-on breakout session where participants visually mapped their ideal violence prevention ecosystems. These diagrams serve as powerful tools to:
- Identify gaps in current efforts
- Highlight existing strengths
- Guide future cross-sector collaboration
We encourage communities to use these visual tools to support ongoing dialogue and drive the development of more integrated, effective local strategies to address community violence.
Thank you to all the attendees, presenters, and panelists whose engagement and insights made these meetings such a success!
