CVV News l May 22, 2023
The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) will hold an inaugural symposium titled, “Transforming Harm into Healing and Hope: Resilience from Gun and Gang Violence.” The event will take place on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Hilton Stockton, 2323 Grand Canal Blvd, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Art Blajos, whose life inspired the 1993 award-winning crime drama, Blood In Blood Out, is the keynote speaker.
Blajos emerged from the darkness of Los Angeles gangs and the Mexican mafia, and is now an evangelist, who has dedicated his life to saving others from the darkness of gangs and guns. His inspiring story of transformation and resilience is an excellent example of how individuals can overcome the harmful effects of gun and gang violence.
The symposium aims to bring together community members and professionals in the field of violence prevention to share their experiences and knowledge about transforming harm into healing and hope. The event will allow attendees to learn from one another and develop new strategies to reduce gun and gang violence in Stockton.
“We are thrilled to host Art Blajos as our keynote speaker,” said Lora Larson, Director of OVP. “His story is a testament to the human spirit and the possibility of overcoming even the most challenging circumstances. We hope this to inspire attendees and provide them with tools to help transform harm into healing and hope in their communities.”
The symposium will feature various speakers and panel discussions covering trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and community-based violence prevention strategies.
The OVP encourages anyone interested in learning about violence prevention and supporting their community to attend this event. Registration is $15 per person and available at Eventbrite.
The first Champion of H.O.P.E. Award, honoring outstanding prevention efforts, will also be announced during the symposium. The goal is to make this award annually, recognizing and honoring an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution toward reducing violence in our community. To submit a nomination, please download the submission form linked at http://www.stocktonca.gov/OVP. Completed nomination forms must be received by the Office of Violence Prevention by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023.
For more information, please contact the Office of Violence Prevention at (209) 937-8409
City of Stockton Office of Violence Prevention Now Accepting Nominations for Champion of H.O.P.E. Awards
CVV News l May 16, 2023
The City of Stockton Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) is now accepting nominations for the Champion of H.O.P.E. (Honoring Outstanding Prevention Efforts) Award. This award honors individuals and organizations that have made an exceptional impact on preventing community violence and promoting safety in their communities.
There are three award categories: Youth Violence Prevention, Community Violence Prevention, and Professional Achievement Award. The Youth Violence Prevention category will recognize leadership and activism in preventing violence among young people in Stockton. The Community Violence Prevention category honors individuals or organizations that have shown exceptional dedication to preventing violence in their local communities. The Professional Achievement Award distinguishes professionals who have significantly contributed to violence prevention in their respective fields.
To nominate an individual or organization, please complete the nomination form available at http://www.stocktonca.gov/OVP, which must include the name of the nominee, contact information, and a brief background. The nomination should also provide specific examples of the nominee’s work in violence prevention and peacebuilding, as well as how their work has made a significant impact in their community or the lives of others.
Additional supporting materials such as news articles, videos, or testimonials illustrating the nominee’s impact are also welcome.
Nominations can be submitted by anyone, including community members, colleagues, or friends of the nominee, and self-nominations are accepted. The deadline for submission is 5:30 p.m., on Monday, June 5, 2023. Award winners will be announced and recognized on June 14, 2023, during the Office of Violence Prevention Symposium.
We encourage everyone to participate in celebrating those who have made a difference in preventing community violence in Stockton. To submit a nomination, please visit http://www.stocktonca.gov/OVP for a link to the nomination form or email Antonia.Gilson@stocktonca.gov.
Registration for the City of Stockton Office of Violence Prevention Inaugural Violence Prevention Symposium is $15 per person and registration is available online through Eventbrite using the following link: OVP Symposium Registration Link.