Vanderbilt University Medical Center is teaming up with law enforcement and an Antioch youth mentorship nonprofit to inspire at-risk youth to choose a violence-free future.
The Future is NOW (Non-violent Options Win) Nashville program is part of the Future Healers Network out of the University of Louisville (UofL).
Organizers say gun violence in the community made them want to bring the program to Music City. It’s a joint effort with the support of the Vanderbilt Division of Acute Care Surgery; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) – Nashville Field Division; Nashville Metro Police; and Stronger Than My Father.
“They see their friends and family members get hurt, so giving them another path in trying to stop that cycle of violence and showing them hey there’s other ways to grow up,” ATF’s Assistant special agent in charge, Tommy Estevan, said.
Their goal is to inspire at risk youth in Nashville to choose a violence free future. On Saturday, they held a class in Antioch where kids learned about the musculoskeletal system.