Gather for the next community meetings focused on preventing youth gun violence in the Rockford area.
Many organizations are doing important and impactful work to address and prevent gun violence in our community, yet firearms remain the leading cause of death for children and teens (0-19), with children from black and brown communities eighteen times more likely than white children of the same age to die by gun homicide. Nearly three million American children witness gun violence every year. Despite the good work being done there are still gaps in addressing the risks and impacts of gun violence on our youth. Let's come together to learn about what each of us is doing, and to identify gaps in services, opportunities for collaboration, and potential solutions for all of us to work better together.
We’re inviting you—and others like you who are making a difference in our community—because we believe you are an important part of the solution. Youth and people with lived experience are encouraged to attend. Your voice matters, and we want to ensure it is heard.
Details:
🗓️ Wednesday, August 13, 2025 🕒 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm 📍 Location: Comprehensive Community Solutions (CCS) (917 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101)
and
🗓️ Wednesday, August 20, 2025 🕒 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm 📍Location: Comprehensive Community Solutions (CCS) (917 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101)
Parking: Please park in the parking lot directly across from the building on the East (river) side of Main Street (908 S Main St). You may also park along Kent Street. Please do not park in the lots adjacent to the building, these spaces are reserved for staff.
Building entry and meeting location: The meeting will be held on the 3rd floor. Enter the building using the blue and black on the back (West) side and head upstairs.
Accessibility: There are two stairs to traverse to gain access to the elevator. If you need additional accommodations to attend, please email Rebecca Francis to discuss your support needs: rfrancis@ignitechangesolutions.com.
These collaborative conversations are facilitated by the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) with facilitator Rebecca Francis, and are hosted in partnership by the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford (LWVGR), Rockford Area Moms Demand Action (RAMDA).
Why are we working to address youth gun violence? Our community’s children are precious. We want them to be safe and thrive. We believe that by working together, we can help prevent both gun-related suicides and homicides among our youth.
Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens. Annually, more than 4,300 children and teens (ages 0 to 19) are shot and killed, and more than 17,000 are shot and wounded—that’s an average of 60 children and teens in the US, every day. An estimated three million children witness a shooting each year; Black and Latinx children and teens are impacted by gun violence at higher rates than their white peers.
