Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere Founder Pastor Zac Carey, Caught in the Crossfire First Responder Kyndra Simmons, and Oakland Street Outreach Team Lead Akil Truso Will Discuss Their Outreach Work and Efforts to Make Oakland Safer
Part of the Safe Oakland Speaker Series from Councilwoman Libby Schaaf.
Wednesday, May 22, 7:00–9:00 p.m., Holy Names University, Valley Center Theater, 3500 Mountain Boulevard.
Councilmember Schaaf’s office will be live-streaming the event online. The event can also be viewed afterwards at the site.
As part of the Safe Oakland Speaker Series, Oakland Street Outreach Manager & California Peace Prize recipient Kevin Grant, Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere Founder Pastor Zac Carey and Caught in the Crossfire First Responder Kyndra Simmons share firsthand knowledge of violence from their outreach work on Oakland’s toughest streets. This is the first Safe Oakland event that features experts with local knowledge rather than ivory tower information.
Speakers
- Oakland Street Outreach Team Lead Akil Truso works with residents in some of Oakland’s toughest neighborhoods, connecting them with vital City services. He also works as a speaker and trainer with several criminal justice organizations. Oakland’s Street Outreach work was recognized with the 2012 California Peace Price.
- Pastor Zac Carey leads True Vine Ministries in West Oakland. A community organizer and advocate, Carey also founded S.A.V.E. (Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere), a citywide grassroots organization which provides resources and solutions for a more peaceful Oakland, and holds “Stand-ins” every Saturday at the street corners where Oaklanders have been murdered.
- Kyndra Simmons is a first responder for Caught in the Crossfire, which provides counseling and assistance to violent crime victims and works to prevent retaliatory violence. When an Oaklander is shot, Kyndra responds immediately to hospital emergency room to interrupt potential retaliatory responses from the victim’s family or friends.
”It’s important for Oaklanders from every neighborhood to hear from leaders like Truso, Simmons, and Pastor Carey,” says Councilmember Libby Schaaf, who created the Safe Oakland Speaker Series. “For these leaders, the violence is more than numbers on a page; it’s real, because they see it every day. Their knowledge and the great work they do must play an integral part in our efforts to make Oakland safer.”
Visit www.SafeOakland.com, email [email protected], or call 238-7004 for details.
