BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announces an eight-week summer program aimed at reducing violence in the community through various activities and events.
According to the mayor, the Summer of Hope begins during the first week of June. To watch Mayor Broome’s announcement, click here.
Mayor Broome’s announcement says the program’s goal is to get residents involved through street engagements and programs for a positive influence.
“It has been a priority of my administration to keep meeting people where they are. I believe that our efforts of consistent on-the-ground outreach will amplify and connect residents to available community resources, while providing opportunities for all to engage in meaningful conversations and celebrations. This will positively influence the reduction of violence within the Baton Rouge community and build sustainable opportunities to improve community health, wellness, and safety,” said Mayor Broome.
The type of violence the Summer of Hope will address isn’t limited to shootings, but also focuses on gun violence impacting youth and families, domestic violence, and highly polarized altercations, according to the mayor.
Some events to be featured in the program include a series of dinners hosted by the Baton Rouge Community Street Team and “Unity Fest,” which is a festival celebrating community pride. The mayor says a calendar of events will be posted online at safehopefulneighborhoods.com.
The mayor says individuals and organizations interested in joining should email shhbr@brla.gov.