A special event took place on Saturday aimed at reducing gun violence and fostering community connections in Aurora. The gathering, named “Lighting the Way to a Safer Aurora,” was held at the Bardwell Residences on 301 Weston Ave.
Organized by Project Safe Aurora and supported by the Kane County Health Department, the four-hour event offered live music, free goodies like Chromebooks, gas cards, and biometric gun safes. Attendees also heard from speakers who discussed important safety topics.
Elizabeth Nunez, a violence prevention specialist at the Kane County Health Department, emphasized the significance of the event. She remarked, “This is about community health, and violence is a major concern. Project Safe Aurora works on preventing gun violence. It’s important to recognize how gun violence impacts not only individuals but the entire community. We aim to build trust within the community and raise awareness of available resources, along with promoting safe gun storage.”
The initiative was made possible by a state grant from the Reimagine Public Safety Act, which targets areas with high instances of gun violence. Nunez explained, “The coalition uses community data and feedback to develop tailored strategies to prevent violence in these neighborhoods. Over the years, we’ve grown into a group of over 27 organizations, including law enforcement and youth development groups, all working together to tackle violence prevention.”
This year, Nunez has actively engaged with various neighborhood groups to promote Project Safe Aurora and create a community safety action plan. “We’ve identified several strategies based on our findings, particularly focusing on the East Side of Aurora and the ages of 14-24,” she added. “We partnered with the East Aurora School District to implement restorative practices in schools, which helps build trust between students and staff.”
Aurora Alderman Jonathan Nunez, from the 4th Ward, attended the event and acknowledged the hard work leading up to it. He said, “There’s been a lot of effort, especially from Elizabeth Nunez and the Kane County Health Department. This initiative began with data we discussed last fall regarding shootings in Aurora, particularly in areas north of here. Monthly meetings have allowed us to focus on reducing gun violence, particularly among our youth.”
Ilda Valdez, an attendee, expressed her interest in learning more about the project. “I think this topic isn’t talked about enough. Raising community awareness is crucial to encourage more people to get involved,” she said. “Many want to support our police, fire, and social services. Having a session like this to discuss gun control issues is a great initiative. I wanted to know more about what is happening.”
Overall, the event served as an important stepping stone toward building a safer, more connected community in Aurora.
