VIOLENCE
TOUCHING Souls
Aaron Burch
Martin Klimas, Rapid Bloom, 2013
“I’m frightened by the devil
And I’m drawn to those ones that ain’t afraid
I remember that time that you told me, you said
‘Love is touching souls’
Surely you touched mine” receive assistance so they may permanently leave a situation af-
fected by violence. With connections at the UofL Trauma Center,
No More Red Dots and Peace Education, Pivot to Peace and its
collaborators are building a web of empathic caregivers, dedicated
to helping those who have been gravely injured.
- A Case of You by Joni Mitchell One of more than 30 violence intervention programs across
the country, Pivot to Peace launched in 2016. But, in that short
time period, the program has allowed the amplification of voic-
es dedicated to peace throughout the city of Louisville. Changing
the culture is not as simple as flipping a switch. It takes ingenuity,
dedication and a personal pledge to engage with those who know
violence as a second language.
“Y
ou’re going to cry. You’re going to tear up.” Working
as a community health worker for UofL Hospital,
Kevin (“KJ”) Fields Jr. can guarantee that much.
KJ is on the front line against violence in a way
that many can’t imagine. Simply put, his job is to
make an emotional connection with recent victims of violence
and their families. As he builds each relationship, KJ works to de-
ter future violence, help injured patients out of despondent situa-
tions, and potentially enter them into the Pivot to Peace Interven-
tion Network.
Pivot to Peace is a program designed for victims of violence to
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
For the majority of Pivot to Peace participants, KJ is the first
friendly face they see. Walking into their hospital room within a
day or two of a majorly traumatic incident, KJ asks what they need
to make the day easier.
“I’m the first point of contact to the individual. I explain where