Effort continues to rally community resources against gun violence in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — For the second time, nonprofit and community organizations, state legislators and city department heads met to discuss ways to address an increase in gun violence in Springfield.

Their goal is to find ways to make the city safer and keep young people engaged in positive activities.

On Thursday, they showcased examples of programs already available.

A 22-page document distributed at the meeting lists services that departments and organizations offer to the community, along with how to get more information.

Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, for example, offers literacy and summer enrichment programs and a night spot for teens.

The document was provided by the city’s Department Health of Human and Health Services and the mayor’s office. The resources will be posted on the city’s website.

This is the second meeting the mayor, city officials, and community stakeholders have held at the Barney Estate in Forest Park on the issue.

The session drew state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez; staff of the Springfield Police Department; Helen Caulton-Harris, health commissioner for the Department of Health and Human Services; Francena Brown, executive director for Families Against Violence (FAV); and Bishop Talbert Swan II, president of the Greater Springfield NAACP; and many others.

It followed gun-related deaths Monday afternoon on Berkshire Avenue, when 52-year-old Kim Fairbanks was shot by Victor Nieves, 34, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Aubrianna Lynn, 10, one of the two children shot, died Thursday afternoon, according to her mother, Stephanie Croteau.

Sarno later issued a statement on the passing of the child, offering his condolences to the 10-year-old’s family.

“As a father of two daughters, there are no words to express my feelings about this tragic loss of life,” Sarno said. “A brave and bright angel, 10-year-old Aubrianna Lynn, has been taken away all to soon from her family. Let her legacy be a clarion call to all of us to redouble our efforts in her memory to do everything we can to end these senseless acts of violence

Solomon Baymon, director of ROCA Springfield, told community stakeholders his organization focuses on keeping at-risk young adults out of prison.

“We have great partnerships and relationships with many people in this room and we’re relentless with everything we do, so please, especially for the youth, definitely stop by the building, come utilize the resources that we have,” he said.

Wesley Jackson, executive director of the South End Community Center, announced that the group plans to develop a universal membership.

Jackson said this membership can be used by residents of any age from any community in the city and will be free.

The Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA of Greater Springfield were used as examples of places where membership would be accepted. Jackson said he wants other community centers to be included in the membership.

“It’s what we’re trying to do to help the city and our community,” Jackson said of the membership.

The YMCA of Greater Springfield plans to bring in an entrepreneurial program to assist teenagers in coming up with their own businesses, according to Angelica Castro, the organization’s director of outreach and teen programs.

Castro listed babysitting, window washing and lawn cutting as some of the businesses the teenagers would create.

“We’re looking to help motivate them and see that there are other opportunities and ways to go about,” Castro said of the developing program.

Some community leaders said see progress in the community collaboration.

Castro, for instance, said there has to be more conversation, but feels things are off to a good start. “I think it’s heading somewhere,” Castro said. “We still don’t have all the answers, but it definitely starts at home.”