Do we have a role in preventing youth violence?

At a Leadership Breakfast sponsored by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management this morning, United Way President and Chief Professional Officer Robert Nelkin made some opening remarks about the recent shootings of a teen on the North Side and another in Homewood, both traced to (likely inadvertent) neighborhood "turf violations" being "enforced" by gang members. A challenge was issued to the nonprofit community to think through how it could help address this problem.

While there are many factors here (economics, joblessness, family support, and more), one outside-of-the-box wrinkle I began thinking about was how someone who clings to and defends turf must otherwise feel very empty. I further thought about whether SLB could do anything to help change these feelings of emptiness. Encouraging kids to express their feelings (and frankly first identify them) and then explaining how these feelings are uniquely "owned" by the individual outright and forever could be a unique way of creating healthy personal turf. Imagine..."My voice...my turf..." It's just a thought, but one we'll look into more. And..on a more conventional level, we'll be looking into ways to get kids talking to each other and to adults about the root causes of violence.

I had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman from Hill House during this meeting (which actually was about IRS issues, believe it or not) and we made some connections regarding oral history collection. I also re-located an old friend who now works in corporate philanthropy. Meetings like these are always a great way to catch up and stay active within the community.

On the way back, I learned that a grant request has advanced to board review by the foundation. On return to the studios, I put finishing touches on tomorrow's show, had the pleasure of showing our studios to a few visitors, and worked through technical issues for tomorrow's Breakfast Brigade.