LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An expansion program started by a Louisville nonprofit will soon complete its first year of learning.
The Future Healers program is an educational initiative led by Christopher 2X Game Changers, UofL Hospital Trauma Institute and students at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. The goal of the program is to help Louisville children who have been impacted by violence in their neighborhoods to build a better future.
That program expanded to Nashville last fall. The Future Healers are now working with doctors from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and nonprofit Stronger Than My Father to help form The Future is NOW (Non-violent Options Win).
The Future Healers chapter, known as Future is Now Nashville, in Nashville includes members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Nashville Metro Police. The free sessions are offered monthly in Nashville.
Members of Christopher 2X Game Changers, UofL Health meet with representatives from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. (Photo courtesy of Christopher 2X)
The program in Nashville will complete its first calendar year curriculum session in May. The Nashville group plans to celebrate the participants' accomplishments with a wrap-up session that will include a lesson at Vanderbilt's Center for Experimental Learning and Assessment. The children will participate in a simulation with real-life scenarios and virtual surgeries with doctors.
"We are coming to a close on the first year of ourFuture is NOW Nashville curriculum with graduation planned for next month," Dr. Rachel Appelbaum, trauma surgeon and assistant professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said in a news release. "The children have been incredibly enthusiastic about the curriculum. I am greeted by smiling faces each session, excited to learn something new. At the end of the sessions, they are excited to share what they have learned and often say 'thank you.' Their learning and growth are all the thanks we need."
The Nashville curriculum session starts in fall of 2024 and will continue into the spring of 2025. Similar to the Louisville program, the curriculum focuses on engaging and fun learning about different aspects of human anatomy.Â
"What a powerful way to stay committed to the kids, parents, and partnership alike by staying committed to developing this network and seeing the joy for everyone who participates in making it happen since the first phone call one year ago," 2X said in a news release.
The program allows kids ages 4-to-13 affected by gun violence to get away from it all in an educational setting.Â
To learn more about Christopher 2X Game Changers, click here.
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