Norfolk man moves on from violent past to find solutions to violence

NORFOLK, Va. — Violence in our community is a crisis, according to those working to stop it.

As we’ve seen more violent incidents in recent weeks in Hampton Roads, News 3 stopped by the My2K Foundation to learn more about some of the work being done in Norfolk to address problems before they escalate.

“Before the murder happens, let’s sit down. Bring them into this room,” said Calvin Williams, executive director of the My2K Foundation.

He sat down in a room at the base of the organization. Take a look around and you’ll notice positive words painted on the walls. Here the group talked with people in conflict.

“And that’s what needs to be done. People need to have conversations,” Williams said.

Those conversations—where people choose words over guns—are happening in the community, too.

“Everyone says we need to talk things out. Who do you talk to about things? Who do you talk to about things? You all have a problem right there in real time, usually people don’t get involved. They see it fall. , take out the camera and record it, more or less my organization, we are there. Come up with a positive solution,” Williams said.

Last spring, Williams told News 3 about a program called Safe passengers. It is meant to reduce violence as children came home from school.

Williams said the program helps, but there is always more work to do to prevent violence and any retaliation.

“This is my community. This is my community. How can I expect anyone to do something if I don’t do it?” Williams said. “Most people don’t want the violence out there, they just don’t know what to do about it. Seek help. Look for a way out. They’re looking for someone to stop. And then some of the perpetrators are looking for someone to mediate because they don’t want to commit the violence, but they feel like they have to.”

He believes the key to de-escalation is finding common ground.

“They saw us there. They talked to us. They know what we’re about. They know we’re there and not a threat. They know we don’t want to lock people up, we just want the violence to stop.”

And communication is aided by a deep understanding of his own past, spending time in prison for crimes in his teenage years.

“I was robbed and I took it upon myself to take the law into my own hands. Taking the law into my own hands, I had to deal with the real law,” Williams said. “I found out later through communication that I was robbed because someone was hungry.”

And while the My2K Foundation has garnered some recognition — receiving the 2024 UPLIFT Award and the City of Norfolk’s 2024 Safe Passage of the Year Award — Williams hopes the public will get more involved. This is by opening up conversations, volunteering or donating to organizations that are trying to help.

“People turn their heads. And they more or less want the police to handle it. They want the community to handle it. And they get angry when the police come to handle it when many times you’ve heard before happens that was about to happen Everyone is part of the community, it’s not just a field,” Williams said. “We’re not doing this for the awards, we’re not doing this for the money, but we understand if we get more help, more funding, we could reach more young people”.

He knows that youth and community are important.

“I deeply believe that people are good,” Williams said.

With first aid and trauma response training, he said the groups have intervened in about 20 conflicts involving guns or knives this year and helped resolve other conflicts before they escalated. That’s not all, they also plan. To raise awareness for violence prevention and mental health support, I’m hosting a Trunk or Treat on October 30^th at Coleman Place Elementary from 6 to 9 p.m. It is open to the public and accepts donations for that event.

For more information about the My2K Foundation or to volunteer or donate, visit them websiteor contact them by email at [email protected].