Congresswoman Ramirez, Senator Durbin, Alderwoman Rodriguez, Alderman Ramirez-Rosa, Commissioner Quezada and Community Leaders Convene in Albany Park on Urgency of Collectively Addressing Gun Violence as a Public Health Crisis
Chicago, IL. (Feb. 24, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Senator Dick Durbin (IL), Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez (33rd Ward), Alderman Carlos Rosa (35th Ward), and Commissioner Anthony Quezada (8th District) convened with community leaders in Albany Park on their shared commitment to address gun violence as a public health crisis. Community partners uplifting an approach to violence prevention and intervention that centers treatment, not trauma, included: Roosevelt High School’s Restorative Justice program, Israel’s Gifts of Hope, The Kedzie Center, Strengthening Chicago’s Youth, Communities United, and North River Commission.
“Every single member of our community deserves to live full and fulfilling lives free from the horrific impact of gun violence,” said U.S. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03). “Every instance of gun violence takes a lasting toll on our public health. Collectively, we are clear that it will take a whole-of-government approach in close partnership with the community to meaningfully and holistically implement gun violence prevention and intervention that centers treatment, not trauma. It’s essential that we hear directly from community leaders, healthcare providers, schools, and constituents to ensure we take a comprehensive approach. I’m dedicated to working with elected leaders at every level of government and community partners to deliver evidence-based resources that promote community safety.”
“Gun violence is an epidemic that continues to plague communities across Illinois and our nation,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “As the number of victims continues to grow every day, it’s clear that elected officials need to treat this like the public health crisis it is. Recently, Congress has taken an important step in addressing gun violence by passing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—and I’m confident we can get more done. I’m proud to work alongside Congresswoman Ramirez who is a true champion for her community, and we’ll continue working together to help protect our residents and make our neighborhoods safer.”
"I'm thankful to be able to partner with our leaders at every level of government to affirm what we know well in the 33rd ward, our communities need treatment not trauma,” said Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez (Ward 33). “Part of co-governance is thinking together about how to solve the most pressing issues at hand. I'm excited to continue bringing community together to talk about their essential work around violence prevention and all that we need to address it and heal our communities."
"No one should have to live in fear of gun violence,” said Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (Ward 35). “A holistic approach to community safety with wrap-around resources for survivors and opportunities for youth is needed to proactively address the root cause of gun violence in our city."
“Everyone should feel safe to walk in their neighborhood without the fear of the gun violence crisis plaguing our communities,” said Commissioner Anthony Quezada (District 8). “That is why we must invest in data-proven strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence in vulnerable communities. I proudly join my colleagues from city council to congress in critically addressing this crisis by putting forward real solutions that will have real impacts in our communities.”
“Historically, communities of color have experienced the brunt of violence due to neighborhood disinvestment in schools, lack of employment opportunities with living wages, limited affordable and public housing, restricted access to comprehensive health care,” said State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Ph.D. (IL-20)“All of these conditions have contributed to creating a public health crisis for our community due to the trauma and loss of life. Creating and sustaining community-led solutions that result in systems of care is one of my top priorities and I will continue to work closely with our community partners to ensure public safety for all.”
“I'm deeply grateful to our federal leaders for highlighting the public health crisis of gun violence facing so many of our communities," said State Representative Will Guzzardi (IL-39). "We know that we're only going to be able to solve the problem when local, state, and federal leaders are working together to keep our communities safe.”
“Israel’s gifts of hope was created in response to the lack of resources and support for victims and communities like Albany park who are being extremely impacted by violence,” said Dalia Aragon and Irma Aragon from Israel’s Gifts of Hope. “Our approach is raising awareness on the ripple effects violence causes, supporting survivors of violence but also engaging the community in the work because we need to work together to create safer, more vigilant, and more resilient communities.”
“Strengthening Chicago’s Youth of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago appreciates the leadership of U.S. Congresswoman Ramirez and U.S. Senator Durbin in working to address community violence,” said Mary Kate Daly, Vice President of the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Health Communities at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. “We are grateful to them for convening community partners today to discuss the impact of gun violence in Albany Park and throughout the city of Chicago. A coordinated public health approach is key to addressing trauma and preventing violence before it occurs. Today’s conversation was a critical step in sustaining a collective response to reducing gun violence in our city and state.”
"At Roosevelt High School our restorative approach is to lead with love and compassion to build trusting relationships with our young people,” said Marlen Rosas and Jose Rodriguez of Roosevelt High School. “By using Restorative Practices, we teach our young people to find safer ways to express how they feel by providing safe and healing spaces where they feel heard and cared for."
“Reducing gun violence requires multifaceted prevention and intervention at individual, family, community and system levels,” said Angela Sedeño, Ph.D. of the Kedzie Center. “Everything from strengthening parent-child attachments, ensuring that all systems are trauma-informed and restorative, wraparound services for those most impacted by violence and trauma to quality trauma treatment and ongoing support for survivors and first responders is what it demands. Essentially, investment in every (Illinois) resident and in our relationships with one another."
“It's important that our city, state, and federal leaders support efforts that put community voice at the center of the solutions,” said Jessica Estrada, Survivors Alliance for Healing and Justice Coordinator at Communities United. “There is a lot of hurt and trauma that our community has experienced, and we need to work towards creating community support systems that facilitate community healing. We have been providing spaces for young people to support their leadership and solutions to address safety through holistic approaches and we have seen how this approach is shaping health approaches to safety in schools and informing how health institutions can further support these approaches.”
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