Youth for Peace | Omega CDC

The Greater Dayton area has experienced a rise in violence, particularly youth-involved gun violence. This issue is personal to Omega CDC as it has directly affected our Hope Zone community, leading to both tragic loss of life and instilling fear and concern in our children and families.

Omega CDC is taking significant steps to address youth gun violence. We are holding listening sessions at the Hope Zone Promise Neighborhood monthly workgroup meetings, conducting surveys with local youth aged 12-24, and scheduling community listening sessions with our Mayor and Chief of Police. These conversations aim to simultaneously reduce violence and create safe spaces for our Hope Zone youth.

Creating safe spaces for youth is essential for preventing violence and promoting positive development. By engaging the community in discussions about their needs and experiences, in partnership with city leadership, we can develop strategies that resonate with residents and effectively address the root causes of violence. Community input helps identify specific areas where interventions are necessary, whether through recreational programs, mentorship opportunities, or improved access to mental health services. This process also empowers youth by involving them in the conversations and decision-making, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.

To elevate this issue and ensure that our young people are seen and heard, we organized the first Hope Zone Youth for Peace Gathering in Dayton, Ohio. The event was organized by Omega Community Development Corporation in partnership with United Way of the Greater Dayton Area, the City of Dayton, Dayton Public Schools, Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services, the Community Engagement Religious Organization Committee, and the William Julius Wilson Institute. Its goal was to raise awareness about the impact of violence on families and neighborhoods, amplify the voices of youth affected by the issue, and advocate for peaceful solutions and community engagement.

Participants gathered at Grace United Methodist Church, where students took part in age-appropriate prevention activities while adults engaged in a data walk and brainstorming session focused on solutions. All registered participants then marched from Grace to Liberation Park. At the park, we held a brief candlelight vigil for those who lost their lives and listened to stories, poems, and songs from our community’s youth, emphasizing the importance of youth involvement in driving change.

Community organizations set up booths with resources on conflict resolution, mental health support, and violence prevention programs. The event aimed to foster a sense of solidarity, encouraging attendees to actively contribute to creating a safer, more peaceful community.

By standing together, the youth of Dayton hope to inspire action and instill a sense of hope, proving that they can be powerful agents of change in their neighborhoods.