Description
The past year has seen a rise in gun violence in cities around the country, including Baltimore. While policy proposals and discussions often focus on top-down responses, Spring 2022 University of Maryland School of Social Work biannual Daniel Thursz Social Justice Event will focus on how organizations in our Baltimore community understand and respond to violence. We will hear from three community groups, who will highlight some of the important community work they are doing and how social workers might assist in micro, mezzo, and macro community-led efforts to address gun violence. Please join us as we welcome Panelist:
Jakia Jones, MSW, Co- Organizer of Baltimore Ceasefire 365
Kelly Sparks, Sons of Pheonix
Rev Corey Barnes, Co-Senior Pastor and Founder of GraceCity Church
Co-Moderators:
Caroline Harmon- Darro
Kyla Liggett-Kreel, PhD
Instructor
Caroline Harmon-Darrow, PhD, MSW, LMSW, is a Senior Community Program Specialist in the
Prevention of Adolescent Risks Initiative at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work, where she collaborates on several projects related to the Maryland Human Trafficking Initiative. She coordinates training for child welfare workers, pediatricians and other medical providers, law
enforcement professionals, and members of the community about preventing child trafficking, and engaging with survivors. Her research and scholarship center on reducing violence, victimization, and incarceration, including through a graduate
research assistantship with the National Institute of Justice, and serving as co-chair of the Grand Challenges of Social Work Smart Decarceration Committee’s Policing Work Group. A community mediator of 24 years, she trains, mentors, and evaluates other mediators, and has held leadership
positions in local, state and national conflict resolution organizations, following work with survivors of intimate partner violence.
Instructor
CPE
Dr. Kyla Liggett-Creel (Dr. K) is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Dr. Liggett-Creel is also the Director of The Collaborative: A Healing-Centered Community. She serves as the chair of the Mayor’s Youth Trauma Workgroup, facilitator for the Mayor’s Cabinet for Boys and Young Men of Color, and staff person for the Baltimore City Trauma Taskforce Youth Workgroup. Dr. Liggett-Creel is also the founder and Director of the Healing Youth Alliance. She is working on several initiatives partnering with community-based, minority-run non-profits to prevent and heal from community violence. Dr. K’s areas of specialization are youth leadership, healing-centered engagement, trauma, and equity.
Corey Barnes serves as co-senior pastor and founder of GraceCity Church and is the president of the “We-Our-Us” Unity Engagement Men’s Movement. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a master’s in Church Ministry concentration in Pastoral Care, as well as a master’s degree in Special Education. In addition, Corey is currently matriculated in a doctorate in Ministry program at St. Mary’s University and Seminary.
Corey, his wife Rashema, and their three children, Steven, Nathan, and Cori reside in Baltimore, MD.
He served as senior director and dean of students at the NorthBay project, one of the largest initiatives on behalf of underserved children in Maryland’s history. At NorthBay, Corey provided expertise and leadership in establishing character development programming for youth with an urban background. He provided training in behavioral change and strategies for creating a positive peer culture. In addition, Corey served as the “NorthBay Live” show host personality and coordinated relationships with public schools that sent over 10,000 children to NorthBay for a full school week each year.
Additionally, Corey taught for ten years in the Baltimore City Public Schools, primarily at New Song Academy, one of Baltimore City’s public school new initiative schools. He served as the program coordinator for New Song some two years, where he formed a partnership with Baltimore City Community College and launched G.E.D programs for non-profit organizations. Barnes and his family also owned and operated “Milton’s Grill,” a restaurant in the heart of downtown Baltimore from 2005-2010
These days, you will find Corey and Rashema following their children as they pursue active academic and sports careers.
Jakia Jones has been a co-organizer with Baltimore Ceasefire since 2017. She recently graduated from University of Maryland, Baltimore with her MSW Degree in 2021. Outreach with Baltimore Ceasefire is one of her favorite things to participate in. She is a passionate advocate for Baltimore City teens and young adults.
At the age of fourteen, Mr. Sparks was introduced to selling drugs in the Sandtown erea of Baltimore City. By the age of seventeen he was a big-time known drug dealer in the community and was unfortunately charged with murder. He was sentenced to 50 years in the Maryland State penitentiary. After serving 27 years and 8 months he realized he could no longer be part of the problem and had to be part of the solution. He realized that he loved giving back so he started five self-help groups while incarcerated addressing conflict resolution, gang violence, crime prevention and educating youth who were incarcerated with him. While incarcerated, Mr. Sparks earned his high school diploma and upon being released, enrolled in Coppin State University. Mr. Sparks now work for the Mayor’s office supporting the youth who squeegee (cleaning car windows at redlights) Mr. Sparks has also a youth organization, Sons of Phoenix.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
| 04:30 EST |
Registration |
| 05:00 - 6:00 pm |
Panel Discussion |
| 6:00- 6:30 |
Q&A |
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. have an idea of factors that contribute to the complex problem of gun violence in Baltimore.
2. describe some of the ways that community organizations in Baltimore work to prevent, interrupt, and respond to gun violence
3. consider the connection between social work practice and values and in thinking about and responding to gun violence at the individual, community, and policy levels
4. have an idea of what actions they can take to get involved in local environmental justice activism and activities
CEs
This workshop is free. However there is a $15 fee for CEs. Please hit the "Purchase CEs" button that appears once you add the workshop to your cart.
There are no refunds or transfers for this event.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
All those interested in Topic Welcomed
