Mayor Greg Fischer is encouraging everyone in Louisville to act as part of the kickoff to National Youth Violence Prevention Week.NYVPW is an initiative designed to raise awareness about youth violence, highlight prevention strategies, and intervene in violence that happens to young people. The national effort is organized by the Connecticut-based group Students Against Violence Everywhere. Locally, youth in the community have spearheaded a series of week-long events through Metro Government’s Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools, Metro United Way, YouthBuild, and a host of other community organizations and groups. A variety of virtual and in-person events will be held to foster open dialogue about Louisville’s gun violence and its impact on youth. These include virtual art shows, spoken word and anti-violence campaigns, and a town hall discussion. Each day has its own theme designed to amplify violence as a community-wide issue and work with others to find solutions. While the events here in Louisville are just for the week of April 12 – 16, it aims to set the tone for the rest of 2021.“We must put in the time, persistence and sustained effort necessary to prevent these tragedies for the sake of our young people today and tomorrow, and for their families,” Fischer said.Organizers say in addition to the planned events, there are various creative ways community members can promote peace and safety.From learning about conflict resolution and steps to prevent violence, sharing information on social media to educate others, and even talking with youth directly to find out how violence impacts them.“If we don't understand why violence exists in our communities, then how can we begin to stop it?” said Dave Christopher, executive director and founder of AMPED. “Until we face head-on the poverty that exists in our Black and Brown communities and address social, economic and racial injustice in those same underserved communities, the violence will continue.”Fischer says there's not one simple answer, but several factors appear to be involved in terms of the rise in gun violence in Louisville, but it’s up to all Louisvillians to be a part of the critical effort to combat it and create an opportunity for young people to have a future.“Witnessing a violent crime, worrying about a violent crime, or being part of a violent crime should never be normal for any child,” he said. “Our goal is to raise awareness about what everybody can do as individuals to address this challenge.”Participants are encouraged to use the social media hashtags #LouYVPW and #NYVPW.Click here to learn more about OSHN’s National Youth Violence Prevention Week events.