Mission Monday: "The Time for Action Is Now"

“We cannot, and must not, allow this to become our normal."
— Thomas Martin, The Daily Toll: Ending Gun Violence in Lexington, NC [View full Davidson Local article here]

In Lexington, North Carolina, too many lives have been interrupted — or ended — by gun violence. These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern. A crisis. And we cannot wait another day to face it.

At JLD Community Solutions, this work is deeply personal. Our organization was founded in memory of Johnny Leroy Dawkins Jr., a young man whose life was cut short by gun violence here in our hometown. His story isn’t just our origin — it’s our mission.

Each year, during Gun Violence Awareness Month, we hold space for healing, for remembrance, and for action. But heartbreakingly, each year we also receive news of another life lost — often during the very same week we gather to address this issue. This cycle is not a coincidence. And it must not be ignored.

We don’t need perfect data to tell us that something is wrong. The truth lives in the lived experiences of families, neighbors, students, and community members who wake up each day carrying the weight of fear or loss. Their stories are valid. Their safety is non-negotiable.

It’s time for all of us to act — and act together. At JLD Community Solutions, we believe in:

   *Investing in young men of color** through scholarships and mentorship.
   *Creating safe spaces** for dialogue, healing, and collaboration.
   *Building a community culture** of responsibility, opportunity, and care.

We don’t have all the answers — but we have a commitment: to be relentless in our work, rooted in love for this community, and clear in our conviction that the time for silence has passed.

If you feel this urgency too, we invite you to join us.

The time for action is now, and even one step makes a difference. Here's what you can do today:
✅ Share this post to raise awareness.
✅ Follow us for updates on community safety work.
✅ If you or a loved one have been impacted by the loss of a loved one due to gun violence and would find value in building a support group, please click the link below to complete our interest form.
🌐 JLD Community Support Circle - Interest Form:  https://form.jotform.com/JLD_support/interest_form

We are writing the next chapter in Lexington’s story. And we refuse to let violence hold the pen.

🧡 Join us. Speak up. Show up.

#MissionMonday #EndGunViolence #LexingtonNC #JLDCommunitySolutions #WriteTheirNextChapter #CommunityHealing #ActNow