Community Success
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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,” Treterra Flowers said.
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
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,” Treterra Flowers said.
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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