Jackson community leaders held a press conference at Lane College on Thursday, July 13 to discuss the continuation of the Initiative for Community Advocacy, Resilience and Empowerment and its mission to reduce violence across the city. 

Through community awareness and education events, I-CARE works to inform and impact Jackson to make a better community.

The program is made up of representatives from the seven P’s: Pastors, Police, Politicians, Proprietors, Parents, Principals and Partners. 

“We have to face it to fix it,” said Dr. Logan Hampton, president of Lane College. “I hope that we can talk gun violence to death, and that we can share the challenges and opportunities that are before us to be able to put an end to gun violence.”

According to the Sycamore Institute, gunfire is the number one cause of death for those ages one to 18, and the 10th leading overall cause of death in Tennessee. The state’s firearm mortality rate is ranked 11th in the U.S., with West Tennessee counties contributing the highest rates. 

“The issues that we are facing in general gang activity, gun crime and the fentanyl drug problems in our community we aren’t going to be able to arrest our way out of,” said Jackson Police Chief, Thom Corley. “We have to address, proactively, the issues and causes of those criminal activities.”

The organization will be hosting the I-CARE Better Community Summit III: Back to School Edition event on Saturday, August 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lane College CMAC center. 

This event will help educate attendees about violence in their communities and how to combat it. There will be cash giveaways, gift cards, book bags, school supplies and more.

If you are interested in partnering with I-CARE or providing materials for their summit, call 731-616-8475.