Carolyn Harding (host) with Erick Bellomy and Bobbi McCalla, founder and Board members of the local non-profit Group, Gun Violence Survivor Network. With the primary in full swing, and the Coronavirus taking headlines, Gun violence isn’t on the Front page, but this violence and trauma happens daily and those that have been harmed are dealing with it today, tomorrow, it’s a part of them forever.
Erick Bellomy has been a resident of South Columbus since he was a child. When he graduated from South High School in 2013, he started volunteering in Non-Profit work. When his father was killed, Erick took action and organized the March For Our Lives in Columbus and later founded the Gun Violence Survivor Network where he is the Executive Director. Erick graduated from United Way’s Leadership Academy in 2019, and was awarded the 2020 Change Maker of The Year. Bellomy's newest project is "Gun Safety; Put a Lock on it!". He is a Community Activist, Volunteer, Community organizer, a Commissioner for the Far South Columbus area, and prominent voice in social justice issues.
Bobbi McCalla is a survivor of gun violence by the hands of the Columbus police department. She’s the sister of Donna Castleberry (Dalton)
Bobbi has been involved in Gun Violence Prevention because she wants to help other families who have been through similar tragedies, whether it’s from the hands of the police, or community violence. Bobbi Is in the process of turning her pain into her passion and she looks forward to helping others who are also survivors of gun violence.
You both have had extreme gun violence within your families - murder. I honor that you are here today and willing to talk with us, and willing to go even further to organize and work for solutions to the current escalating gun violence crisis.
GunViolenceSurvivor.org
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