Durham City Council has announced a partnership with Duke University’s Orthopaedic Trauma Section and local barbershops to address gun violence in the community, focusing on the alarming number of young Black men entering emergency rooms due to such incidents. The initiative, known as the Durham Impact Project, aims to foster productive conversations within the community, leveraging the unique social connections barbers have with their clients to steer at-risk youth towards safer paths.
Supported by a grant from Johnson & Johnson, the project coincides with broader concerns over federal funding cuts affecting local health resources. Mayor Leonardo Williams highlighted the importance of community resilience in navigating these challenges, emphasizing the need to engage local resources to reduce violence and support vulnerable populations. As part of this initiative, Duke’s Violence Recovery Program will also contribute to ongoing efforts to assist gun violence victims.
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