Latest news with #ThePeoplesAction
CBS News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Public safety reform forum engages Detroit residents
As Detroit organizations that are dedicated to providing support and resources to combat violence brace for budget cuts, public safety leaders and advocates band together to spark change and reform. "These are my people. These are my neighbors. These are my children. These are my elders. These are my brothers and sisters," said community activist Teferi Brent. On Friday, dozens of people packed into Fellowship Chapel in Detroit to kick off Freedom Weekend 2025. "We can't sit on our couch and sit back and say we have an issue with violence in our community, but we're not willing to do something about it to make our community safe," said Brent. The citywide initiative encourages people to approach and begin difficult conversations around impactful topics, including justice, reform, and community-based safety solutions. "It's a holistic approach, and it's been working. It's been proven to be effective," said Negus Vu, president and CEO of The People's Action. Organizers say their goal is to highlight the work being done throughout the metro area and inspire the next generation of leadership. "We have a responsibility to serve and to protect rights and to provide resources for our community so that we can live in peaceful, prosperous communities. I mean, this is what our people deserve," said Brent. One organization seeing a big boost is The People's Action, which recently received a nearly $400,000 grant from Michigan State Police that will fund an intensive 20-week program designed to provide wraparound services in the community and offer alternatives to incarceration. "We understand that it's imperative to save as many lives as possible in the city of Detroit, but we cannot afford to lose any lives," said Vu. Organizers say events like these highlight the need for those who are already doing this work to continue moving it forward. "Either you are part of the problem, or you are part of solving the problem," said Brent. Leaders behind the weekend say these gatherings give them the boost they need to grow their programs and help as many people as they can for as long as possible.
CBS News
19-06-2025
- CBS News
New youth diversion program aims to reduce gun violence in Metro Detroit
As summer begins, communities across Metro Detroit are bracing for hot temperatures and the potential for an issue impacting thousands of young people: gun violence. "We wanted to take the opportunity at really making an impact, really taking a stab at violence, and really supporting where it's needed most," said Freedom Allah, CVI director of The People's Action. To help in that effort, Wayne County Juvenile & Youth Services recently announced the funding of its new justice-impacted juvenile diversion program to reduce the issue. The nearly $400,000 grant from Michigan State Police will fund an intensive 20-week program led by The People's Action, a nonprofit organization that supports at-risk youth and offers workforce development and other forms of support to people and communities impacted by violence. "Through the amazing work that that's being done at the People's Action and targeting young people in the community, boots on the ground, hands on, wrap around services, they're able to provide intervention to stop the pipeline to incarceration," said Melissa Hernandez, director of Wayne County Juvenile & Youth Services. Allah says the grant will allow the county to be able to refer young people to the program who they think need wraparound services and offer alternatives to incarceration. "Our work is tailored to be preventative, to help solve the problem, solve the social determinants, and prevent the violence before it happens, versus trying to respond to something after it's already happened," said Allah. Those with the organization say this funding allows them to grow their programs and help as many people as they can. "It's not one group that is superior to the others, not one person is superior to the other. We are nothing without each other. So, we have to work together," said Jacqueline Robinson, chief operations officer with The People's Action.
