Santa Monica Looks to Target Root of Violence Following Santa Monica Shooting

Santa Monica’s Cradle to Career Group announced Tuesday it will take the lead in addressing youth and family violence following a series of shootings.

The city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and Santa Monica College plan to work together by focusing on addressing the root causes of violence, including mental illness and family support.

“As we learn more about the June 7th shooting, it’s clear that addressing complex issues of mental health and domestic violence should be top priorities," said Julie Rusk, Assistant Director of Community & Cultural Services. "These are complex issues, that affect us all – and are not specific to any one neighborhood or population segment. We’re going to work together to do whatever it takes to help youth and families that need it the most."

A Youth & Family Violence Prevention Fund will be established to accelerate implementation of this work, starting with a private donation of $50,000.

“As a community moves from grieving to healing, the conversation naturally shifts from why this happened to how do we make sure this doesn’t happen again?" said Sandra Lyon, Superintendent of Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District. "No one organization alone can provide the answer. That’s why we’re committed to Santa Monica’s collective impact approach to helping our youth and their families.”

Other partners, include the Boys & Girls Club, Center for Civic Mediation, Community for Excellent Public Schools, Childcare & Early Education Task Force, CLARE Foundation, Community Corporation, Connections for Children, Family Services of Santa Monica, Lifelong Learning Community, the Male Violence Prevention Project, OPCC/Sojourn Services, Pico Neighborhood Association, Pico Youth & Family Center, Saint John’s Child & Family Development Center, Saint Joseph Center, Santa Monica Police Department, SMMUSD PTA Council, and concerned community members.