The Center for Community Safety and Resilience (CCSR) at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs is getting ready for a dynamic fall ahead. Led by two esteemed co-directors, Sheila Huss and Deserai Crow, the CCSR is excited to announce the launch of its Thrive Series, a new initiative aimed at fostering meaningful conversations around community safety and resilience. The series will feature insights from both academic experts and individuals with lived experiences, providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration within the community.

“The CCSR is founded on the idea that everyone should be able to live in a safe and healthy community.” said Deserai Crow, co-director of the CCSR, professor, and program director for the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. “Our work brings research, training, and outreach to the critical issues around violence within communities as well as the idea of community resilience, which considers vulnerabilities that individuals face as well as risks that communities face from hazards such as wildfires, flooding, and public health problems.”

Building on past successes, including four impactful panels in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 that addressed gun violence as part of the long-standing Criminal Justice Series at the School of Public Affairs, the Center for Community Safety and Resilience is thrilled to relaunch the series with a new focus: exploring the question, 'What does it mean to thrive?’

Community members and local organizations are invited to engage in the new Thrive series, which will spotlight essential topics related to safety, well-being, and resilience. Participants will have the opportunity to share their perspectives during interactive question-and-answer sessions following moderated discussions with both lived experience and academic experts. This series aims to elevate conversations and foster a deeper understanding of the pressing challenges that make communities less safe and healthy for the people who live there.

The first event in the series is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24^th, 2024 during National Preparedness Month, and will tackle questions surrounding the risks that communities face, how they can be more prepared and resilient, and what local and state officials in Colorado are doing to address these challenges. 

Moving further in the fall, October is known nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the focus of the Thrive Series will shift to include a panel on intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence occurs between people who are romantically involved (regardless of whether they are living together). Domestic violence is a broader term that includes intimate partner violence but also encompasses violence between siblings, a child and a parent, or even roommates. It is important to note that there are differences in how these terms are defined legally across different states (and countries), as well as how stakeholders within the field define them.

“I hope that the community gains awareness and an understanding of the scope of the problem, as well as some of the people and organizations that do work to prevent intimate partner violence and support individuals who experience it.” said Sheila Huss, co-director of the CCSR, assistant teaching professor of Criminal Justice, and Director of the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs, “I want people to see prevention and intervention efforts that exist in different areas (e.g., legal, advocacy, etc.) I also hope that the audience can hear from someone with lived experience because I think voices of impacted people can be powerful.”

The CCSR is working on developing partnerships and hopes to find opportunities to carry out meaningful research that will result in student funding, mentorship, engagement, and research experience. Faculty members are encouraged to join the center as affiliate faculty and participate in research and creative activities. And students are encouraged to reach out if they are interested and would like to be involved in the center.

In addition to participation, the CCSR invites contributions to support its initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community input. Community members are encouraged to share their thoughts on what it means to thrive, as well as to communicate both challenges and successes within the community.

As the CCSR moves forward, its commitment to empowering individuals remains a priority. By fostering engagement and collaboration, the Center aims to enhance efforts toward building safer and more resilient communities.

For more information about the Thrive Series and to register for upcoming events, please visit publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/news-and-events or click here to view the event summary for the Thrive Series event on Tuesday, September 24th. Please reach out to spa.events@ucdenver.edu if you have any questions or comments.

About the Center for Community Safety and Resilience

The Center for Community Safety and Resilience (CCSR) at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs envisions thriving individuals and families in safe and supportive communities. CCSR advances that vision through research-based evidence and practice toward individual and community safety, resilience, and justice. CCSR is dedicated to effective programs, practitioner and community education, and public policy advocacy and analysis.