As Ben's tenure as Chair of the Month responsibilities at Lansing Rotary comes to an end; the month's final session featured Erica Lynn (Board Vice-Chair) and Michael Lynn Jr. (Board Chair) These dynamic individuals shared their insights on Lansing 360 and the Lansing Empowerment Network, shedding light on crucial initiatives aimed at addressing gun violence in our community.

A few months ago, Ben was introduced to Lansing 360 —a comprehensive initiative focused on reducing gun violence. This initiative brings together stakeholders from various sectors, including law enforcement, elected officials, education, philanthropy, and faith leaders, to engage in proactive discussions and collaborate on effective solutions.

Lansing Empowerment Network facilitates a weekly Lansing 360 Collaborative Meeting with partners focused on Collaboration, Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement Support, Reentry and Community Engagement. Lansing 360 is based on a nationally recognized violence prevention and intervention model, Omaha 360.This collaborative approach shows what is possible when all sectors of the community work together. Hundreds of organizations and thousands of residents including youth and adults have taken part in the community-based strategy over the years.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Mike and Erica for their invaluable contributions to our discussions. Their dedication to our community is inspiring, and we are fortunate to have them as allies in our efforts to create a safer and stronger Lansing.

As we bid farewell to Ben's term as Chair of the Month, let us continue to build upon the momentum generated by these discussions. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in reducing gun violence and creating a brighter future for Lansing.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our community.