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Breaking Down Barriers
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara announced a $400,000 grant to the city aimed at stopping the cycle of violence that leads to numerous shootings. The inmate re-entry organization Get Connected 815 will receive the money from the Illinois Department of Human Services “Greater Illinois Re-Imagine Violence Prevention Services” grant. Get Connected 815 is a non-profit organization that says its mission is to “merge formerly incarcerated adults as well as their families back into the community.”
The inmate re-entry organization Get Connected 815 will receive the money from the Illinois Department of Human Services “Greater Illinois Re-Imagine Violence Prevention Services” grant. Get Connected 815 is a non-profit organization that says its mission is to “merge formerly incarcerated adults as well as their families back into the community.”
"Group members will focus on helping people who are at higher risk of being involved in gun violence," McNamara said, adding that the organization will send teams to every single shooting in the city.
“Some of those reasons include, number one, is seeing what is taking place; number two, they want to interrupt that second act of violence. We know much of the violence taking place in our community and across the country is … retaliation violence that takes place, and so they are going to go in and help medicate and build relationships, work with those people. And, they are also going to address the trauma that those individuals have been impacted by,” McNamara said Friday.
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Rockford's Get Connected815 Organization Targets Violence Reduction
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Nearly 40% of Rockford’s violent crime comes from domestic violence calls, and the city is now turning their focus to teens. Seventy percent of teens committing violent crimes have been cross referenced as either being a witness or survivor of domestic violence. That stat is one of many reasons that Rockford formed a grassroots team. It is a group of seven paid members who either have a past conviction or first-hand experience on Rockford streets.
One of the members went from handcuffs to earning a master’s degree. She explained the reason that some people believe this group could be the answer to saving lives.
“That isn’t who I want to be, that isn’t who I am,” said Treterra Flowers.
There were few images that Flowers has of her face during her time in prison. When blurry mirrors made it hard to see her reflection behind bars, she used her time served to focus on what was on the inside.
“That environment is the type where either you isolate, or you focus on something in the mind that will take you out,” Flowers said.
Click on Video Above to View Entire Interview
One of the members went from handcuffs to earning a master’s degree. She explained the reason that some people believe this group could be the answer to saving lives.
“That isn’t who I want to be, that isn’t who I am,” said Treterra Flowers.
There were few images that Flowers has of her face during her time in prison. When blurry mirrors made it hard to see her reflection behind bars, she used her time served to focus on what was on the inside.
“That environment is the type where either you isolate, or you focus on something in the mind that will take you out,” Flowers said.
Click on Video Above to View Entire Interview
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