Living for We: Keep Ya’ Head up
In partnership with Ideastream Public Media, Myesha Watkins (Cuyahoga County Violence Prevention Administrator), and community advisory groups, we are developing a web-based and print-friendly toolkit that supports reflection, understanding, and dialogue about gun violence, safety, and healing. The toolkit builds on Living for We: Keep Ya’ Head Up, an award-winning podcast that uses powerful storytelling and lived experience to explore the root causes and impacts of gun violence in Ohio. Designed as an accessible resource for communities, this project centers community knowledge and supports locally grounded conversations that promote safety, healing, and hope. This project runs from November 2025 to March 2026.
This project translates community-centered violence prevention frameworks and lived experience into an engaging, practical tool that communities can shape and use according to their priorities and needs. Through three interactive modules—exploring what contributes to violence and safety, how to keep communities safe, and how to help communities heal—this work strengthens understanding of violence as a preventable public health issue and supports community-rooted solutions. The toolkit is designed for broad use, with tailored content for youth, parents and caregivers, community-based organizations, and community systems, helping spark dialogue, reflection, and action across audiences.
Primary activities:
-
Co-developing an interactive toolkit that integrates our violence prevention frameworks with storytelling and lived experience to support dialogue on safety and healing.
-
Incorporating multimedia content, including video excerpts from the Living for We podcast, alongside calls to action, discussion questions, and participatory activities.
-
Engaging community leaders and young students to inform content development and ensure relevance, accessibility, and resonance.
-
Developing a facilitator guide, along with a companion guide for young people, to help users assess readiness and build capacity to lead or support conversations within their communities.
