Community Initiative Addresses Urban Violence in Waco, Texas, in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

In response to a fatal shooting, two community organizations, Ex Con 4 Kids and Only God Ministries, are organizing a “Stop The Violence” event in Waco, Texas. This initiative directly addresses the critical need for peace and security within urban communities, reflecting the core principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Incident Background and Community Response

The Shooting at Oscar DuCongé Park

On April 20th, a shooting incident at Oscar DuCongé Park resulted in the death of Giovanni Lopez and injuries to two other individuals, aged 18 and 23. As of July 11th, the Waco Police Department has not made any arrests in connection with the homicide. This event is part of a broader trend of violence in the city, which has seen six homicides in 2025.

The “Stop The Violence” Event

To foster healing and unity, Ex Con 4 Kids and Only God Ministries will host an event at the same park where the shooting occurred. The event is scheduled for Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. and will include:

• Music and food
• Family-oriented activities
• Speakers addressing community violence
• An open dialogue with parents and children on violence prevention

The organizers, Kevin Sterling of Ex Con 4 Kids and Moses Resendiz of Only God Ministries, are both former inmates dedicated to community rehabilitation. Their stated goal is to unite the community and break the cycle of violence through a message of forgiveness and conflict resolution. “It takes a bigger man to walk away from conflict than it does a man that would rather indulge in it,” stated Mr. Resendiz.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The “Stop The Violence” initiative serves as a grassroots model for implementing several key SDGs aimed at creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

Primary Focus: SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The event is a direct response to the challenge of local violence, aligning with Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” By promoting forgiveness, dialogue, and non-violent conflict resolution, the organizers are actively working to build a culture of peace and foster a more inclusive society.

Supporting Goals

The initiative also contributes to other interconnected SDGs:

1. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: The effort to reclaim a public park for positive community engagement directly supports Target 11.7, which aims to “provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.” A safe environment is fundamental to a sustainable community.
2. SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Violence has profound negative impacts on both physical and mental health. By seeking to prevent violence and promote healing, the event contributes to Target 3.4, which focuses on promoting mental health and well-being for all.
3. SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration between Only God Ministries and Ex Con 4 Kids exemplifies Target 17.17, which encourages and promotes effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

Conclusion

The “Stop The Violence” event in Waco is a significant local action that embodies the global ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals. It demonstrates how community-led partnerships can effectively address violence, promote social cohesion, and contribute to the development of peaceful, just, and sustainable communities.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article, which focuses on combating community violence. The shooting incident, the resulting death of Giovanni Lopez, the number of local homicides, and the community’s response through the “Stop The Violence” event all directly relate to the aim of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and reducing violence.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights the collaboration between two civil society organizations, “Ex Con 4 Kids” and “Only God Ministries.” Their joint effort to host the event and “bring the community together” to address violence is a clear example of a partnership working towards a common sustainable development objective.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is connected through the direct health consequences of violence. The article mentions that Giovanni Lopez “died at the hospital” and two other victims were “shot and taken to a hospital.” The effort to “stop the bleeding” is a direct health intervention. The event’s focus on “healing” also aligns with promoting well-being.

Relevant SDG Targets

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The article’s entire premise is built around this target. The “Stop The Violence” event is a direct response to a deadly shooting and is intended to “break this violent cycle.” The mention that “Waco police have investigated six homicides in 2025” provides a local context for the need to reduce violence and related death rates.

2. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

   The community-led event demonstrates a participatory approach to problem-solving. The plan to “hold an open dialogue with parents and children about preventing future violence” is a specific example of creating an inclusive forum for decision-making on community safety, driven by the people most affected.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…

   The collaboration between “Ex Con 4 Kids” and “Only God Ministries” is a textbook example of a civil society partnership. The article states they are working together to “unite the community” and “form as one to help the community,” demonstrating a partnership model to achieve a shared goal.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator for Target 16.1 (Number of victims of intentional homicide)

   The article provides a direct, quantifiable indicator related to violence and death rates. It explicitly states, “Waco police have investigated six homicides in 2025.” This number serves as a baseline metric to measure progress in reducing violence in the community.

2. Implied Indicator for Target 16.7 (Community participation in violence prevention)

   While not a formal statistic, the article describes actions that serve as qualitative indicators of participatory efforts. The existence of the “Stop The Violence” event, featuring “music, food, family activities and speakers,” and the plan for an “open dialogue with parents and children” are tangible measures of community engagement and participation in creating solutions to violence.

3. Implied Indicator for Target 17.17 (Formation of civil society partnerships)

   The article provides evidence of this indicator by naming the specific partnership between “Ex Con 4 Kids” and “Only God Ministries.” The joint hosting of the event is a clear indicator of an active civil society partnership working on community issues.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kcentv.com