Louisville's 'Safe Summer Kickoff' events this weekend hope to help reduce violence in the city

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville's Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods says this year's "Safe Summer Kickoff" is Saturday, June 8.

The third annual event is held in 10 neighborhoods across the city. It's free and includes several family activities as well as health screenings and information on resources available in the community.

"A goal is to help bring a sense of community and neighborhood cohesiveness, which reduces violence," said OSHN director Paul Callanan, in a press release.

This year, OSHN is not planning any event but funding $5,000 each, for a total of $50,000 to 10 neighborhood-based nonprofits who will develop attractions and hire vendors for each of the summer kickoff events.

"Everyone deserves a safe and healthy neighborhood," Callanan said at a press conference Thursday morning. "On June 8, in collaboration and in partnership with multiple community partners, we are sponsoring 10 Safe Summer Kickoff events around the city, particularly in those neighborhoods that tend to experience higher levels of gun violence."

Locations for the Safe Summer Kickoff events include:

Parkland Plaza at 2757 Dumesnil Street from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Creation Center at 2500 Portland Avenue from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Shawnee Park Basketball Courts at 4501 W. Broadway from 2 p.m until 5 p.m.
Meyzeek Middle School at 828 S. Jackson Street from noon until 4 p.m.
Overflow Community Center at 5202 Stony Brook Drive from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Newberg at 5011 Level Road from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Algonquin Park at 1614 Cypress Street from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Sheppard Park at 1601 Magazine Street from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
South Louisville Community Center at 2911 Taylor Boulevard from noon until 3 p.m.
Parkhill Community Center at 1703 S. 13th Street from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Director of Overflow Community Center, Bob McCabe, came to Parkhill Community Center Thursday to help the city announce the Safe Summer Kickoff events. The center there in Fern Creek will be one of the locations for events Saturday.

During his remarks Thursday McCabe said, "the question we all have today, what is the solution to stop the violence in our communities? Well, the answer is love."

McCabe said he moved to Louisville not long before the pandemic and started working in the Park Hill neighborhood.

"I just popped in one day and started building relationships," he said.

Now, he runs a grocery-style food pantry at Overflow Community Center. He said it's open twice every month and being open after 5 p.m. helps many working families.

"We're trying to reach families that are struggling in poverty and try to partner with them how to get out of poverty or how to make their life better," said McCabe.

According to OSHN, recent violence in areas like Fern Creek and Taylor Berry has led to mental health professionals offering services in the area. Callanan said he's working with Parks and Recreation to get counselors at several community centers over the summer for kids to be able to talk to someone if they have been impacted by violence.

Callanan said violence remains a challenge in the city, despite recent efforts to reduce it. He mentioned the violence the city experienced last weekend, when more than a dozen people were shot in different shootings.

"While it's frustrating to see the violence continue, we can't forget about the efforts that we've made and the success we've had so far," Callanan said.

McCabe said compassion, getting to know someone, and having genuine conversations can go a long way toward making a difference.

This year's summer kickoff events will include everything from from petting zoos, to face painting to health screenings, live music -- and more.

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