The Rock Against Gun Violence Coalition outlined seven priority initiatives for 2025 at its first meeting of the year, including a $51,000 scholarship program that will fund five $1,000 awards and a plan to complete a second Brady gun-trace report before summer.

The goals, presented by the coalitions chair, included scholarships, a Brady trace report, a resource guide, a second youth conference, procurement-policy work, a data-gap project and a community education and marketing initiative. "There are 7 things that before I even move any further with that, I just want to reiterate," the chair said when introducing the years priorities.

Scholarships and deadline: The coalition said it has $51,000 earmarked for its scholarship program as a continuation of last falls youth conference; the plan is to award five $1,000 scholarships. The application deadline has been extended to Feb. 10; coalition staff and media partners WDKX were credited with outreach.

Brady gun-trace report: President Miguel Melendez and others said the mayors office has committed to re-establishing a memorandum of understanding with the ATF and the Brady Center to produce another gun-trace data report. The chair said Rochester was one of five cities to have completed a first trace report and that the coalition aims to have a second report ready before summer.

Resource guide and data project: The resource guide is in development with roughly eight to 10 topical sections; the resource committee expects a draft by spring and a completed guide by summer. Coalition members described a "Data Gap Project" to identify missing data and produce a consolidated report useful for providers and policymakers.

Programs and partnerships: The coalition heard brief program updates: the community support counseling team served 204 victims in December (with ZIP code 14611 the highest single area at 22 and 46 unknown ZIPs); the person-in-crisis (PIC) team answered 681 calls in December, with ZIP code 14621 highest. The Office of Violence Prevention reported it is building a program dashboard and noted the Advanced PEACE program is in its third cohort serving about 30 individuals.

Procurement and legislation: Coalition leaders said they are reviewing example procurement legislation from California to adapt locally; the procurement-policy work is slated to become formal legislation before years end.

Community outreach and marketing: Members discussed continuing the campaign slogan "the shot from a gun cant be undone" and placing materials broadly in community centers, libraries, barbershops and shelters. One member asked for more visible placements in neighborhoods most affected by gun violence.

Next steps: Committees will reconvene to advance each of the seven priorities; the scholarship winners are planned to be announced during Black History Month at a city council meeting. The coalitions next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10; staff will circulate committee meeting dates and the resource-guide draft timeline.