End Community Violence Hosts Pop-Up Resource Fair

LAUREL,Del.– End Community Violennce is a non-profit that develops a unified community with the goal of breaking the cycle of violence in Delaware communities.

Executive Director of End of Community Violence Lauren Footman says partnerships are they key.

“Our role is to really coordinate, align and make sure that they have the financial resources and professional development to sustain and also reduce gun violence,” Footman said.

Their partner Operation West Laurel a interfaith advocacy organization committed to the safety and well being of citizens in west Laurel.

Operation West Laurel’s executive director Amy Handy says the biggest need she sees in the Laurel community is the lack of resources for young people to feel prepared to find employment.

“They need jobs. They have to be workforce ready,” Handy said. “They need those skills, they need those interview and those resume skills. They need those trade skills. They need those tools to be able to go to the next step.”

The partnership between End Community Violence and Operation West Laurel aims to bring a positive change in the Laurel community and event organizers hope people can walk away from the event feeling more confident.

“I hope they walk out with a resume,” Handy said. “I hope they fill comfortable filling out an online application or just feeling more hopeful overall.”

Local organizations are putting resources directly in the hands of the community working to prevent violence before it even begins.