Preventing Violence, Changing Lives

Demetria Blair, MBA, leads the Creating Safer Neighborhoods Initiative, CHI Saint Joseph Health’s youth violence prevention program. The initiative encourages youth and community members alike to establish an intolerance for violence with a vision to create a safer and healthier Lexington community.

“The youth are our future,” Blair said. “These boys and girls will become the men and women who will lead and care for us in the very near future. It is in our best interest that we help create a healthy and hopeful community in which they can live, dream and become the very best version of themselves.”

All too often, exposure to violence places young people at risk for academic underachievement, substance abuse, and mental, physical and behavioral health issues. That’s why the initiative, a partnership between Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation and CommonSpirit Health’s Mission and Ministry Fund, has worked to provide positive programs in Lexington for more than 10 years.

Blair joined the Creating Safer Neighborhoods Initiative after years of service at Fayette County Public Schools. She has built collaborative relationships with faith-based organizations, local government, businesses and the school community.

“We cannot be effective if we work in a silo,” Blair said. “We must build upon the collective strength of the community to guide youth forward and ensure there are consistent supports in place to handle negative feelings that may lead to violence.”

Some of the programs offered include:

• Nourish Youth Program — provides healthy, nutritious snacks and meals to youth
• Mentoring Youth to Employability Programs — connects youth with positive adults who help prepare them for college and careers
• Apprenticeship Program — provides opportunities for employment with community partnerssm
• Arts Program — provides youth an outlet for self expression through art

“We aim to provide something productive that will help children beyond these critical years,” Blair said. “We are truly on a mission to improve the health of the most vulnerable in our city — our youth.”

When Blair is not working to improve the lives of children in the community, she and her husband enjoy spending time with family. One of their favorite pastimes is following the University of Kentucky sports teams.

“I am originally from Ohio so I didn’t become a fan of Kentucky sports right away. After living in Lexington for over 20 years, I had no choice but to convert,” Blair said.

“While I’m not a fanatic, I do enjoy watching a good game.”

Find out more about the work CHI Saint Joseph Health Healthy Communities is doing.