State and local organizations work to end violence, help those in need in communities

End Community Violence Now (ECVN), the state of Delaware’s community-based Office of Violence Prevention, OUTLOUD, and Nonviolent Seaford are just some of the organizations looking to reduce violence in Delaware and address the issues that lead to violence.

“School shootings is just a small part of the violence going on in our schools,” said Beth Kopicki of Nonviolent Seaford. Kopicki pointed out that Seaford is second in the state in people incarcerated per capita while Laurel has higher than average poverty. Kopicki was a teacher for over 40 years. At the end of her career, she had to do active shooter drills with 5 – 6-year-old second language learners in Laurel, telling them they had to hide behind desk and throw books and staplers at bad guys with guns.

Kopicki lost a student to a drive-by and had the father of a student gunned down as well. Four years ago, she started Nonviolent Seaford.

The organization looks to address issues such as poverty, homelessness, hunger, illiteracy, and racism. It also partners with other organizations to see where violence is located in the community, interviewing teachers and police.

Kopicki said the focus is on poverty and racism with the idea that other violence will be reduced if those issues are reduced. Nonviolent Seaford does food distribution, cleanups, community art and outreach. It also listens to community members about violence.

Kopicki said the area needs economic opportunities, infrastructure, transportation, and something for kids to do. “We’d like to have real data to back up the progress that we are making,” she said.

Area organizations have been working to fill the void of Seaford Community of Hope, which lost funding and half of its staff last fall. That organization does food distribution, pantry support and youth programs including a weekly program focussed on conflict resolution, managing emotions, and identifying feelings.

Nonviolence stepped in to do a program twice a week. The Seaford Police is looking to have programs in Nutter Park.

“It’s taking a whole village to focus on the many needs here in Seaford,” said Kopicki.

“We can’t do it alone and we do need everyone at the table,” Lauren Footman of ECVN added.

ECVN formed after Wilmington became known nationally as Murdertown. “Gun violence is something that is being experienced in all parts and corners in Delaware,” said Footman. The organization has statewide coalitions in Wilmington, Dover, and Sussex County. According to the Wilmington Police Department, shootings in Wilmington recently reached a six year low. Footman said gun violence is trending down statewide.

ECVN works with grass roots organization such as Operation West Laurel (OWL). Laurel has not had any  homicides or shootings in over 12 months.While most of ECVN’s programs are philanthropy funded, government funding is needed. “Government funding is critical to sustaining this work,” said Footman.

She said she is requesting $5 million from the state over the next three years including $1 million for research and evaluation of the program.

ECVN is also applying for grants to build a mental health facility to help survivors of gun violence and violence. OUTLOUD is an empowerment organization that focuses on social justice and mental health awareness. It has locations to meet youth’s needs at Sussex Tech, Seaford, Bryan Allen Stevenson School, and SCOPE (and soon DAPI). The group works on issues such as decision making and conflict resolution. Students are doing community projects on substance abuse or social justice.

OUTLOUD also has events at Skateworld in Laurel to focus on physical wellness and mental health and wellness.

Participants break into parent and youth groups.

According to LaToya Harris, also of OUTLOUD, the organization is facilitating groups at Seaford High and is looking to add the middle school and elementary schools

“There’s been a great response,” said Harris.

The group is made up of 40 kids: 20 boys and 20 girls. They talk with peers about problems and concerns in the community and how they can make their communities safer and better.

“We really want to be intentional about how we plan out activities for the youth,” Harris said.