One of the biggest topics so far this year has been the increase in gun violence including several homicides. Now the area’s three governments are forming a new committee to come up with ideas to help.
“Facilitated by UVA’s Equity Center and co-chaired by UVA and community representatives, the working group will include representation from the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, UVA, nonprofit organizations, and other groups from across the community,” reads a press release sent out Tuesday.
The working group will make recommendations on how public safety organizations can better coordinate, how more programming can be created to give younger people more to do, and how to improve mental and behavioral health. The report to UVA will go to the President’s Council on UVA-Community Partnerships.
That group has several other initiatives currently underway and here are some updates:
- Members of the affordable housing group are reviewing proposals from several nonprofit groups for redevelopment for 10th & Wertland in Charlottesville and the Piedmont site in Albemarle County. (Nonprofits have been asked to work on UVA housing projects, February 15, 2023)
- A group working on the local economy released a report last June that seeks to find ways to increase purchasing of goods and services by UVA from minority and women-owned businesses. UVA has since responded. (report) (response)
- The Pipelines and Pathways group released a report that made recommendations about how UVA could train and hire more community members. (report) (response)
- The Early Childhood Education workgroup has not yet released a report but the website indicates that it is still in development.
- A Public Health workgroup is also working on a report.
There is no work group for the provision of public infrastructure.
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