CONNECT        COMMUNICATE        COORDINATE        COLLABORATE       CREATE        CELEBRATE
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EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS

Empowerment Covenants...

 1.  Live our Faith

 2.  Strengthen our Families

 3.  Prepare our Children

 
4.  Embrace our Culture

 5.  Build our Wealth 

 
6.  Protect our Health

 7.  Raise our Vote

 8.  Own our Homes

 9.  Clean our Neighborhoods

 10.  Love our Neighbor! 

 11.  Stand for Justice

 12.  Improve our Communications

 13.  Cross the Divide (Digital)

 

Step Up & Step Forward!


 

NO MORE Gun Violence!

NO MORE Shooting!
 

According to official Omaha Police Department reports, homicides in Omaha were down 31% in 2009, decreasing from 44 to 30.  Felony assaults were also down in 2009.  We want to stay on this path of decreasing gun violence and we need your involvement. 

We've had a violent start to 2010.  One life lost to gun violence is one too many.  Let’s come together to Keep Omaha Safe!  Residents deserve a safe and peaceful place to live.  Help keep our neighborhoods and community safe! 

If you’re tired of shootings, gun violence, and funerals, let’s work together to end gun violence!  This will not happen overnight, and it will take active community involvement.  We’ve lost too many lives to senseless death. 

No More Gun Violence!  No More Funerals!  No More Shooting! 
 

         Omaha 360 PARTNERS:

          Omaha 360 has evolved over the past three years with the input of over 300
          participants.  Strategies were initially developed by the Empowerment Network &
          Empower Omaha.  Partnerships have expanded to include over 100 organizations!

              Empowerment Network and Empower Omaha!
              City of Omaha
              Faith-based Organizations
              Community-based Organizations
              Schools and Youth Development Organizations
              Neighborhood Organizations and Residents
              Elected Officials
              Omaha Public Schools
              Colleges & Universities
              Omaha Police Department
              Hospital Trauma Units
              Omaha Fire Department
              Douglas County
              Office of Violence Prevention
              Business Community
              Private Foundations

 

Connect with Omaha 360 on facebook

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STOP THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL FIREARMS!
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        Omaha 360 VISION:

              Purpose:  to work together to end gun and gang violence

              Values:  Unity, Faith, Family, Community, and Empowerment

              Goal:  to make Omaha a great, safe city, in every zip code!
             
              Vision of the Future: 
Omaha is recognized for being a great, safe city, in
               every zip code.  Children can play outside without fear of harm.  People no
               longer hear gun shots at night.  There are positive activities for youth to engage
               in before school, after school, and during the summer.  Job training and
               jobs are available throughout the city.  Children are starting school prepared,
               graduating from high school ready to go to work or enter post secondary
               training, and entering careers that use their skills and talents.  Schools
               are safe.  Streets are safe.  Support services are available for children and
               parents.  The community prepares and welcomes those that have served
               their time back into society.

 

        Omaha 360 GOALS:

              1.  Reduce homicides city-wide and in targeted areas
              2.  Reduce gun violence (gun assaults)
              3.  Reduce youth violence and gang violence
              4.  Provide positive alternatives and activities

 

         Omaha 360 MISSION & STRATEGIES:

              1.  Collaboration
              2.  Prevention
              3.  Intervention
              4.  Enforcement
              5.  Recovery and Reentry
              6.  Support Services
              7.  Sustainable Funding & Support

 

          Omaha 360 - Violence Intervention and Prevention Strategies - Summary

1.  Partnerships with parents, families, faith-based organizations, community groups, business, foundations, and neighborhood residents throughout the city.
 
2.  Stronger relationships between community and police
 
3.  Church and neighborhood outreach, parent and family outreach, and mentoring
 
4.  Education, jobs, job training, and business development (entrepreneurship)
 
5.  Education and youth development including positive activities
 
6.  Intervention programs addressing truancy and dropout prevention
 
7.  Intervention programs addressing - gang intervention and street outreach
 
8.  Enforcement support - removing illegal guns and encouraging the community to
     come forward to help solve crimes
 
9.  Reentry programs and support for families impacted by violence
 
10.  Recovery programs and services for those returning from jail or prison
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STEP UP AND STEP FORWARD!

10 things you can do right now!!! 
Move to ACTION!

1. Pray. Pray that the violence would stop. Pray for youth and families.

2. Start at home.
Spend quality time with children. Set high expectations. Instill and inspire faith, purpose & HOPE!

3. Become a mentor,
volunteer to help at schools, and encourage co-workers, neighbors, and associates to become mentors. Advocate for children in the juvenile justice system.

4. Host positive events
and activities for youth at your church or in your neighborhood.

5. Join your neighborhood association
or neighborhood watch group.  Encourage the community to step forward to help solve crimes.  Contact crime stoppers.  Create safe houses in your neighborhoods.

6. Partner with your church
(adopt-a-block)
and support organizations that are working to reduce violence.  Encourage your church to get involved with Omaha 360!  

7. Participate in stop the violence events
.
Rallies, parades, meetings, prayerwalks, etc.   Participate in City-wide Omaha 360 events, Harmony Week (May 21 - 29) and VIP Week (Oct.)

8. Help provide job opportunities and internships.
Encourage your employer to get involved. Sponsor a youth or young adult during the summer job program.  $1,000 to $1,500 per youth.

9. Turn your lights on in your neighborhood.
Encourage others to turn lights on. Participate in neighborhood clean-up efforts.

10. Help support families that have been impacted by violence.
Support children with incarcerated parents.

and, 11.  Contribute your time and invest your finances in violence prevention and intervention efforts.  Check the list of partners for opportunities to volunteer.  Contact Omaha 360 at 402-502-5153 for opportunities to invest in these efforts.  You can select your specific areas of interest or specific organizations.


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         Community Solutions to Violence prioritized at Network Community Meeting
         (Feb. 2010)

              1.  Parent, Family, and Community Involvement (including mentoring)
              2.  Jobs, Job Training, and Entrepreneurship
              3.  Street Outreach - Prevention and Intervention - Direct Gang Intervention
              4.  Education and Training - Address Truancy & Dropout Rate
              5.  Church Participation/Leadership - Adopt-a-Block, Prayer Walks, and
                     Outreach
              6.  School Outreach - Prevention and Intervention at Schools
              7.  Reentry and Recovery - Assisting those returning from jails and prison
              8.  Positive Alternatives and Activities - including events, concerts, safe
                     place, etc.
              9.  Community Step Forward - helping to solve crimes
             10. Victim Support Groups - support for families impacted by violence and
                    actively engaging them in community solutions


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STOP THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL FIREARMS!
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10 RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY
We believe that we must stop violence by first providing better opportunities and support. 
 

     COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION COLLABORATION

          (These agencies will assist you or refer you to one of our other partners…
          please mention 
Omaha 360 – VIP)

 

1.        Education & Employment Opportunities - Please call Urban League of Nebraska at 402-453-9730.
 

2.        Housing Support - Need assistance with housing…Please call the Family Housing Advisory Services at 402-934-7921.
 

3.        Support Services – Need help with Emergency Assistance or Basic Needs – Food, Clothing, and other…Please call ENCAP (Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership) at 402-453-5656 ext. 200.
 

4.        Spiritual Support - Need prayer or want to talk to a Pastor or Minister.  Please call 402-594-9254.
 

5.        Looking to change your lifestyle, get out of a negative group, help your child stay away from negative groups, or seeking help with mediation (Squashing Beef) -
If you or someone you know wants to change their lifestyle or if you need someone to help with mediation (squashing beef) – Please call Impact One Community Connection at 402-932-2855.
 

6.        Gun Violence Victim Support Group – If you have lost a family member or friend to gun violence and want to be a part of a support group – Please call the Center for Holistic Development at 402-502-9788 or Impact One Community Connection at 402-932-2855.
 

7.        Reentry and Recovery Group – If you or someone you know is returning from jail or prison and need help getting reconnected in the community – ENCAP (Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership) at 402-453-5656 ext. 200.
 

OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT
(The following contact information (8-10) will help you reach the Omaha Police Department or Crime Stoppers)
 

8.        Report gang activity in your neighborhood.  Please call the Gang Hotline at 444-5990.
 

9.        Report illegal activity or have knowledge about a gun violence crime.  Please call 444-STOP, send a text message to 274637 (crimes) or www.omahacrimestoppers.net.   (This call is anonymous)

 

10.    Report an illegal firearm Please call 444-STOP, send a text message to 274637 (crimes) or www.omahacrimestoppers.net   (This call is anonymous)


If this is an emergency, please call 911.


If you would like to volunteer, contribute, or support efforts to stop gun violence in our communities and city, please e-mail us at info@empoweromaha.com  or call us at 402-502-5153.  For more information go to www.empoweromaha.com 

Omaha 360 is an initiative of the Empower Omaha Violence Intervention and Prevention Collaboration
 

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Omaha 360 RESOURCES:

 Click here to download a pdf file of 10 Ways to Help Stop Gun Violence

Click here for Omaha 360 Community Resource List

Omaha World-Herald Resource List - Ways to Help Right Now   

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Omaha 360 - Violence Intervention & Prevention Strategy
    
     Working with specialists representing over 100 groups and organizations, we have developed a
     comprehensive, community-based strategy to help address violence through prevention, intervention,
     enforcement support, and recovery.  It combines the best practices of cities that have reduced crime and
     integrates local solutions identified by local community members and leaders.  It will take the entire
     community working together in a collaborative, collective, and coordinated way.

 
  
Omaha 360 - Violence Intervention and Prevention Strategies - Summary

1.  Develop partnerships with parents, families, faith community, community groups, business, foundations, and neighborhood residents throughout the city.
 
2.  Develop stronger relationships between community and police
 
3.  Church and neighborhood outreach, parent and family outreach, and mentoring
 
4.  Education, jobs, job training, and business development (entrepreneurship)
 
5.  Education and youth development including positive activities
 
6.  Intervention programs addressing truancy and dropout prevention
 
7.  Intervention programs addressing - gang intervention and street outreach
 
8.  Enforcement support - removing illegal guns and encouraging the community to
     come forward to help solve crimes
 
9.  Reentry programs and support for families impacted by violence
 
10.  Recovery programs and services for those returning from jail or prison

Omaha 360 - Violence Intervention and Prevention Detailed Strategy

 


Collaboration, Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement, Re-entry, and
Support Services

 

   

1

Partner with churches, businesses, community organizations, neighborhood residents, law enforcement, elected officials, and others to address violence.

        Develop formal collaborations
        Host weekly planning meetings - proactive and reactive responses
        Host annual Violence Intervention and Prevention Summit
        Host city-wide Harmony Week (May) and VIP Week (October)
   

2

Prevention:  Collaboration - Develop Stronger Relationships between Community and Police

 

     Continue and expand community/police relationship efforts already underway

 

     Host community discussions between community and police

 

     Implement Community Policing

 

     Develop and Implement a Police Oversight Plan

 

 

3

Prevention:  Church and Neighborhood Partnerships/Adopt-A-Block Strategies

 

      Build Strong Neighborhood Associations and Active Crime Watch Groups

 

      Identify Leaders and Assets in the Neighborhood

          Prayer in the Park - during the Summer months

 

      Block Parties - Community Outreach - Build Relationships

 

      Prayer - Outside in the Church Parking Lot - Get outside of the Walls!

 

      Adopt-A-Block - Designate Target Areas (Map of Churches, Schools, Parks, Nghbhd Assoc)

 

      Prayer Walk in Neighborhoods - Partner with Neighbors and others in the community

 

      Street Teams - Walk, Engage and Talk - Get to know neighbors

 

      Door-to-Door Outreach - Build relationships and identify needs

 

      Bring Needed Resources and Support to the Neighborhood/to Homes (All Covenant Areas)

 

      Partner with Healthy Family Team (Parenting, Marriage, Domestic Violence…)

          Host Harmony Week (May) and VIP Week (October)

 

 

4

Prevention:  Education, Jobs, Vocational Training (Partner with Economics/Education)

 

     Launch and Maintain Active Adopt-A-School/Partnerships; Expand Mentoring Programs

 

     Create and Expand Youth Jobs - School Year and Summer  (including Stipends)

 

     Add Other Jobs for Youth and Young Adults

 

     Provide Vocational Training/Technical Training

 

 

5

Prevention:  Youth Programs - Day, Night, Summer, School Year (Partner w/ Education)

 

     After School Programs/Leadership Academies/Safe Havens/Computer Training/Mentoring

 

     Weekend Programs - during School Year (Friday and Saturday)

 

     Summer Daytime Programs

 

     Summer Nighttime Programs

 

 

6

Intervention Programs:  Address Truancy (Partner with Education Team)

 

     Address Attendance and Truancy Programs (partner with current initiatives)

 

     Partner with Juvenile Justice Forum

 

     Identify Children in the Probation System - Create positive links with churches/community groups

 

     Address Behavioral Health - Get more African-American counselors involved with youth

 

     Address Drug/Abuse Programs

 

 

7

Intervention Programs:  Address Gangs and Youth Violence (Partner with Education Team)

 

     Gang Intervention Strategies & Programs - Provide Positive Alternatives to Gangs

 

     Work with individuals and help them navigate back to school and prepare for work/jobs/careers

         Provide support services for youth, young adults, and families
         Host listening sessions with gang members and former gang members
         Host Prayer Walks in Targeted Areas 
         Crisis Response Teams - Assist families, work with groups, identify positive alternatives
   

8

Enforcement:  Community Involvement in helping to solve crimes (don't get it twisted)

 

     Ceasefire - Encourage community to put down the guns, turn them in, stop illegal firearms flow

 

     Get Guns off the Street – Research and implement programs that have been proven effective

 

     Ste Up and Step Forward - Campaign - Community must step forward to help solve crimes

 

     Anonymous Phone #'s and Crime Stoppers

 

     Anonymous Tips/Drop off Box

 

 

9

Recovery & Restoration - Support families and children impacted by jails/prisons

 

     Programs and support families and children impacted by jails/prisons

 

         Cell Adoption Program

 

     Programs and support for those coming out of the jail and prison system

 

          Drug & Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Treatment/Behavioral Support

 

          Support Systems, Faith, Health, Housing

 

     Re-entry Program - State, County, City

 

 

10

Economic and Neighborhood Development - Jobs, Home Ownership, etc. (Economics)

 

          Housing, Training, Jobs, Transportation, Entrepreneurship, etc.

 

 



If you would like to volunteer or support efforts to stop gun violence in our communities and city, please e-mail us at info@empoweromaha.com  or call us at 402-502-5153.

Omaha 360 is an initiative of the Empower Omaha Violence Intervention and Prevention Collaboration


STEP UP & STEP FORWARD! 
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OMAHA 360 ACTIVE PART
ICIPANTS...

Participants: (Partial List)

COLLABORATION COORDINATORS
Empowerment Network
Empower Omaha!
City of Omaha - Mayor Jim Suttle's Office

City of Omaha
Office of Violence Prevention
 

PREVENTION
Urban League of Nebraska

Boys and Girls Club
Hope Center for Kids
Impact One Community Connection
Northstar Foundation - Outward Bound

Abide Network
Omaha Public Schools
Girls Inc.

Building Bright Futures
Black Men United - Real Men Read
North Omaha Neighborhood Alliance and concerned residents
Pastors and Ministers Faith Covenant
Adopt-A-Block Neighborhood Partners

Gethsemane Baptist Church - Amachi Mentoring Program
Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance
Midlands Mentoring Partnership
 

INTERVENTION
Impact One Community Connection
University of Nebraska Med Center
Creighton University Medical Center
Urban League of Nebraska

Juvenile Assessment Center
Omaha Weed & Seed
Emerging Leaders Empowerment Network
PrayerWalks
     Christ for the City International
     Embrace the Heartland in Prayer
     Christian Couples Fellowship International

EIE Street Patrol
Delta Sigma Theta
Crisis Care Responders
Moms Against Violence
 

ENFORCEMENT
Omaha Police Department
Omaha Fire Department
Douglas County Attorney’s Office
 

REENTRY
Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership
Metro Community College – TableTalk
Black Men United
Compassion In Action
You Are Not Alone
Williams Prepared Place
Douglas County Reentry Task Force
 

SUPPORT SERVICES
YWCA
Boys Town
Omaha Home for Boys
Nebraska Children’s Home Society
Financial Stability Partnership
Nebraska Humane Society
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Center for Holistic Development
Family Housing Advisory Services
Omaha Economic Development Corporation
Salvation Army - Omaha
Heart Ministries
Omaha Home for Boys
South Omaha
VIP

West Omaha VIP
and, representatives from over 100 organizations.


Elected & Appointed Officials:
 
City of Omaha - Mayor Jim Suttle
Councilman Ben Gray
Councilman Pete Festersen
Councilman Franklin Thompson
Councilman Gary Gernandt
Senator Brenda Council
Senator Heath Mello
Freddie Gray - OPS School Board & Learning Community
Penny Sophir - OPS School Board & Learning Community
Sandra Jensen - OPS School Board
Commissioner Chris Rodgers
Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes
Douglas County Attorney Don Kliene


 

  Copyright 2010 Empowerment Network