We want to invite you to an important event tomorrow evening at the State Building in Oakland.
Here’s what’s happening:
Right now, the state invests about $9 million annually in what’s called the California Violence Intervention & Prevention (CalVIP) Grant Program. CALVIP funds innovative, proven approaches to interrupting violence, building community safety, and saving lives. These are phenomenal programs. But California is the fifth largest economy in the world and should be investing far more than $9 million.
EJUSA is one of 34 organizations that signed onto a letter urging key California senators and assembly members to more than quadruple the funding, to $39 million for the next budget. California is cutting edge when it comes to violence prevention—now it’s time to make a serious investment in public health strategies that save lives.
Mayors Libby Schaaf and Michael Tubbs, from Oakland and Stockton, plus Assembly member Buffy Wicks will be there to show their support. You’ll hear from a number of experts on why this funding is crucial. You’ll find out how to take action and make our cities safer.
And I’ll be there, too, so I would love to meet you if you can make it. Here are the details:
Auditorium at Elihu Harris State Building
1515 Clay Street, Oakland
(walking distance from 12th Street BART station)
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
I hope to see you there.
