Community leaders, program participants and NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi leadership came together for a gala to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Jacobi’s Cure Violence Program, “Stand Up to Violence” (SUV), at Maestro’s Catering Hall in Morris Park on Thursday, June 27.
The program involves hiring credible messengers as “violence interrupters,” who go into areas hard hit by violence and help mediate conflicts between at-risk people and groups. Since its launch, SUV has contributed to a 50% reduction in violence within its areas of operation.
“It is both exhilarating and humbling to realize that an entire decade has passed since SUV started working to reduce gun violence in the Bronx,” SUV Program Manager Carjah Dawkins-Hamilton said. “We’ve stood the test of time, even through a global pandemic. Our gala marks our continued commitment to ending gun violence in the Bronx. One shot fired is one shot too many.”
During the celebration, numerous people who were critical to the program’s founding and long-term success were honored. These include NYPD Chief Benjamin Gurley, New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Elder Patricia Iribie, Andy King, Joseph Thompson, Erika Mendolson, Dr. Sheldon Teperman, Jeff Clark, Sandy Chaiken, Hannah Nelson, John Doyle, Floyd Coleman, Norma Saunders, SUV Youth of the Year winner Devier Scott, SUV Outstanding Staff of the Year winner Andre McEachin and SUV Community Partnership Award winner Priscilla Torres.
All of these honorees earned praise from SUV’s leadership for their contributions to the program and the larger community.
“The gala, much like the program itself, encompassed a collection of diverse individuals from multiple disciplines from the community, hospital and political spectrum, gathering together in unity for the common cause of treating the epidemic of gun violence like the disease that it is,” said Dr. Noé Romo, MD; Medical Director of SUV.
Those in need of SUV’s supportive services can call them at (718)-975-6312.
