CHICAGO | Seeds of Peace partnered with Ujimaa Medics to provide a workshop on gunshot wound first response training for Chicago Seeds on October 23.
The idea for the gun shot first response training was initiated as part of the action plan the Chicago Delegation developed during dialogue at Camp this summer. Gun violence is an issue familiar to many in the delegation and the Seeds have addressed ways of preventing and responding to it in their post-Camp activities.
The workshop trained the participants, which also included Seed parents and a Seeds of Peace Camp counselor, about ways to tend to the physical needs of a gunshot wound victim, or someone suffering an asthma attack, while waiting for medical professionals to arrive on the scene.
The training placed an emphasis on respecting the victim’s right to decide on the involvement of municipal emergency services and the timing in which these services are used, which generated a discussion among the participants about the varying levels of trust in justice systems based on where one resides in Chicago.
Seeds of Peace Chicago Coordinator Ben Durchslag said that a key moment in this activity was when a range of Seeds teamed up to act out being a first responder to a gunshot wound.
“In addition to learning the basics of treating the physical wound, the Seeds and their parents deepened their understanding of the emotional needs of the victim and how to treat them,” said Durchslag.
“The Seeds are eager to be trained as dialogue facilitators in January so they can continue on with the next phase of their community action plan, which is to hold space for dialogue about gun violence and other topics among their peers.”
The workshop was hosted by the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, a restorative justice center in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago.
The inspiration for the training was the experience of Jay (Journey), a Chicago Seed from the South Shore neighborhood. She took part in the Ujimaa Medics First Responder Training and was also certified to train others. Two weeks after her training, she put her skills to use to save someone’s life.
“Being moved from her experience of using practical knowledge, she embodied an awareness of how precious life is while she was at Camp,” said Durshlag.
“Jay’s passion spread through every aspect of Camp, and during the final phase of dialogue, the Chicago delegation decided to make the Ujimaa Medics first responder training a key aspect of their action plan for when they returned to Chicago.”