“We must keep the promises that we have made to try to prevent further tragedies . . .We owe it [to our children] to do something.”
Nan Whaley, Dayton Mayor and Facing Gun Violence steering committee member, in the wake of the Oregon District shooting
Mass shootings are “another shooting” until you know someone involved. On August 4th, 2019, too many in the Dayton community knew someone involved. From coast-to-coast, mass shootings are becoming all too common. But what do we do next as citizens, as parents, as educators, as lawmakers, as victims, as survivors, and as a community?
Prayers! Thoughts! Second Amendment! Too often we run to our ideological camps and allow a senseless act of violence to divide us further. But what if Dayton, a city known for promoting peace, was different? What if Dayton reacted with empathy and understanding? With listening instead of yelling?
The Dayton community in partnership with The Dayton International Peace Museum and The Facing Project is collecting stories from individuals with a story to share on the topic of gun violence. Using The Facing Project model (writer and storyteller writing teams), the stories will be released in a book, performed by actors, and used to inform some type of ongoing action.
The goal of this project is to promote collective healing by deeply listening to the stories of gun violence in our community. The project intends to have a community event in late July (early August) to honor the one-year anniversary of the tragedy in our community. We’re focusing on stories from the Dayton community, but welcome stories and volunteers from around the globe.
About The Facing Project.
The Facing Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that creates a more understanding and empathetic world through stories that inspire action. The organization provide tools, a platform, and inspiration for individuals and communities to share their stories, connect across difference, and begin crucial conversations through their own narratives.
The Facing Project has engaged more than 7,500 volunteer writers, actors, and storytellers in 18 states and 75 communities who have told more than 1,500 stories.
