Mission
Inception
Ron Barber’s family created the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding while he was recovering in the ICU. The mission of the fund is to sustain and build upon the outpouring of good will, compassion and kindness that the community responded with after the tragic event in Tucson on Jan. 8, 2011. Barber, district director for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was shot twice and is healing and on the road to recovery.
Vision
The fund will help build healthier communities through fundraising, initiatives and local programs, and through partnerships with other organizations by:
- Honoring survivors and those who lost their lives on Jan. 8, 2011;
- Paying tribute to the first responders, citizens and medical personnel who came to the aid of the victims;
- And supporting nonprofit groups or organizations that sponsor programs, discussions and more in public schools, faith communities, politics and mental health care.
In schools, these programs will work with students to encourage understanding differences and address the effects of bullying. In faith communities and the political arena, the programs will promote respect for different points of view and civil discourse regarding public policy issues. In mental health, they will work to increase awareness of mental health symptoms, prevention and treatment services.
The fund will also support nonprofit programs and other organizations to produce concerts and artistic events. Concerts with national and local musicians will play an important role in building the fund and in healing and unifying the community.
History
Since its inception, the fund has helped create many memorable events, initiatives, partnerships and discussions, such as:
- Creation of advisory board of directors
- Fund for Civility concert featuring David Crosby, Graham Nash and Alice Cooper (Photos to come)
- Inception of task forces for Anti-Bullying, Mental Health Awareness, Civility Commitment, Civility Teachings in the Religious Community
- Discussions with survivors and family members of those who were lost about the creation of a permanent memorial
- Reverie Fundraising Concert (photos from FB)
- Loft Cinema films series and panel discussions
- Creation of Together We Thrive Memorial Photographs Book by Janet Marcotte
- Collaboration on activities to remember January 8
- Upcoming series on human rights
- Partnership with Tucson Meet Yourself, Tucson Medical Center and Tucson Unified School District for First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Move Your Body” health initiative
