June 5, 2025 | From City of New Orleans
New Orleans Health Department Recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Month with Landmark Lightings and Month long Community Events
This June, the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) joins cities across the country in recognizing Gun Violence Awareness Month, reaffirming our commitment to a safer, healthier New Orleans for all. Throughout the month, we will host a range of community events, public awareness campaigns, and healing spaces designed to prevent violence and support survivors.
To mark this solemn yet hopeful observance, the Crescent City Connection and the Caesars Superdome will be lit orange on June 7, the national color of gun violence awareness. These powerful symbols will shine as a reminder of those we’ve lost and as a call to action for a community united in the fight against violence.
“In America, violence is a major public health crisis,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, New Orleans Health Department Director. “And like any health crisis, it requires a coordinated response. That’s why we’ve built a Violence Prevention Ecosystem - a citywide approach that brings together community leaders, health professionals, nonprofits, and city agencies to prevent violence before it starts, respond quickly when it does, and support survivors every step of the way.”
Throughout the month, the NOHD Office of Violence Prevention and its ecosystem partners will host a variety of events aimed at interrupting cycles of violence, supporting survivors, and addressing root causes. One of this week’s highlights was the City Hall Employee Blood Drive, where over 74 units of blood were donated.
“Gun violence awareness month is a powerful reminder that our community's blood supply relies on the support of organizations like the City of New Orleans blood drives,” said Paul Adams, Public Relations Manager at The Blood Center. “Their support directly impacts patients across our community by helping ensure a stable blood supply when it’s needed most. Every donation made is a powerful act of solidarity and healing in the face of violence.”
What is the Violence Prevention Ecosystem
The New Orleans Health Department’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) coordinates the city’s response to violence by funding programs, guiding strategy, and ensuring that services are both trauma-informed and culturally competent. Our partners within the violence prevention ecosystem include:
- Ubuntu Village NOLA Peace Ambassadors mediate conflicts, prevent retaliation, and connect residents to resources in real-time.
- The University Medical Center Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) supports survivors from the moment they arrive in the ER, offering wraparound care for survivors at their bedside.
- The Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) offers free mental health care, legal services, and support for survivors. The TRC is also located within UMC.
- The Biometric Gun Safe Giveaway Program, in partnership with Manning Family Children’s, has distributed nearly 3,000 safes to promote responsible gun ownership and protect children.
- And a strong partnership with the New Orleans Family Justice Center, which provides a coordinated, survivor-centered response to domestic and sexual violence.
“Our partners make this ecosystem work,” said Roberta Dubuclet, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention. “From the Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) at University Medical Center to the Trauma Recovery Center to all of our trusted community partners—we're all working in sync to break cycles of harm and create pathways to healing.”
This year’s observance comes at a critical time. Following the January 1 mass casualty event in the French Quarter, the city’s violence prevention ecosystem demonstrated its strength, mobilizing mental health resources and survivor support within hours. Since those relationships were already established, we were able to respond quickly and comprehensively.
For more information on upcoming events throughout Gun Violence Awareness Month, follow the New Orleans Health Department on social media or visit nola.gov/ovp. To find information about nearby blood drives or becoming a blood donor, visit info@thebloodcenter.org.