This Diocese's faithful response to gun violence Tragically, despite substantial progress in many regions of the United States in reducing the frequency of gun violence, the City of St. Louis remains the epicenter of this national epidemic. In 2017, the city experienced 205 homicides, over 90% of which were committed with guns. Nor were the surrounding counties in Missouri and Illinois immune from bloodshed. Notable (albeit isolated) progress is being made with an enhanced focus on community engagement by several area police departments and the increased use of evidenced-based policing strategies, especially in the “Hayden Rectangle,” a contiguous area of North St. Louis City and County. Nevertheless, the fragmentation of local government and resulting lack of coordination among program initiatives have limited the region’s ability to address gun violence systematically.
Developing and Ongoing Partnerships
The Episcopal Presbyterian Health Trust (EPHT) awarded a $25,000 grant in 2017 to a coalition of 100+ local organizations to assist them in developing a model of collaboration and mutual accountability that would significantly improve their collective effectiveness and community responsiveness. Based on the results of a 6-month study completed with the assistance of a nationally recognized consulting firm (based in St. Louis), the St. Louis Violence Prevention Commission (VPC) was chartered in early 2018 and officially recognized by both St. Louis City and County governments.
The Episcopal Bishop’s Deputy for Gun Violence Prevention worked to secure the grant, facilitated input to the organizational study from the larger faith community and, now, serves on the VPC Leadership Committee. The partnership between the diocese and Washington University School of Medicine’s (WUSM) Department of Psychiatry for the development of materials to train clergy and mental health professionals in the care of victims of violence continues. New modules on the nature of evil, PTSD in children, chronic grief and suicide were completed during the past year.
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
WUSM faculty and diocesan staff regularly offer programs to local seminaries, faith communities and community organizations. The partnership with the American Hospital Association continues, facilitating the exchange of information on violence prevention and programs to address it, primarily through the coordination of our respective web sites. The next year will focus on creating an initiative that brings the diocese and a local hospital(s) together around a violence prevention and education initiative.
DIOCESEMO.ORG
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