Madison County Hand-up Initiative

09/07/2026

STOP THE VIOLENCE — COMMUNITY GATHERING

Tonight at 7:00 PM | Anderson, Indiana

Our community has lost another life to gun violence.

Early Sunday morning, 31-year-old Tomerious T. Smoots was shot and killed in Anderson. Another family is grieving. Another life has been lost. And once again, our community is left dealing with the pain and consequences of gun violence.

Tonight, we are asking our community to come together.

The Madison County Hand-Up Initiative will host a brief Stop the Violence Community Gathering at 7:00 PM near the intersection of 16th Street and Madison Avenue, where we will gather to remember the life that was lost, pray for those affected, stand together as a community.

The shooting has to stop.

This is not about politics.
This is not about blame.
This is about human life.

Disagreements cannot continue ending with gunfire. Anger cannot continue becoming funerals. We cannot become comfortable with hearing that another person has been shot and simply move on.

We invite family members, neighbors, community leaders, pastors, organizations, law enforcement, and anyone who believes that violence is not the answer to stand with us tonight.
Today, Monday, September 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Meeting location: 16th Street & Madison Avenue — Anderson, Indiana

This gathering will last approximately 30 minutes, but we will remain on site as long as it takes for folks to share their thoughts and opinions.

Come as you are. Bring your family. Bring your neighbors. Bring your voice.

Let Tomerious’s family know that they do not grieve alone, and let our community see that Anderson will not be silent about violence.

One community. One voice. Stop the violence.

09/07/2026

STOP THE VIOLENCE — COMMUNITY GATHERING at 16th and Madison Ave

Tonight at 7:00 PM | Anderson, Indiana

Our community has lost another life to gun violence.

Early Sunday morning, 31-year-old Tomerious T. Smoots was shot and killed in Anderson. Another family is grieving. Another life has been lost. And once again, our community is left dealing with the pain and consequences of gun violence.

Tonight, we are asking our community to come together.

The Madison County Hand-Up Initiative will host a brief Stop the Violence Community Gathering at 7:00 PM near the intersection of 16th Street and Madison Avenue, where we will gather for approximately 30 minutes to remember the life that was lost, pray for those affected, stand together as a community, and deliver one clear message:

The shooting has to stop.

This is not about politics.
This is not about blame.
This is about human life.

Disagreements cannot continue ending with gunfire. Anger cannot continue becoming funerals. We cannot become comfortable with hearing that another person has been shot and simply move on.

We invite family members, neighbors, community leaders, pastors, organizations, law enforcement, and anyone who believes that violence is not the answer to stand with us tonight.

Today:Monday, September 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Meeting location: 16th Street & Madison Avenue — Anderson, Indiana

This gathering will last approximately 30 minutes, but we will remain on site as long as folks have thoughts or opinions to share.

Come as you are. Bring your family. Bring your neighbors. Bring your voice.

Let Tomerious’s family know that they do not grieve alone, and let our community see that Anderson will not be silent about violence.

One community. One voice. Stop the violence.

09/07/2026

Our community is once again grieving the loss of a life to gun violence.

Early Sunday morning, a 31-year-old man was shot in Anderson and later died from his injuries. The second victim was injured as well. The circumstances that led to the gunfire are still being under investigation.

Disagreements should never end with a family receiving the devastating news that someone they love is never coming home. It should not leave neighbors frightened, children growing accustomed to the sound of gunfire, or another family forever changed by a decision that cannot be taken back.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life. We also pray for everyone affected by this violence and for the officers and investigators working to determine exactly what happened.

We must continue working toward a culture where disagreements are settled with words, where walking away is seen as strength, and where picking up a gun is never the answer.

The Madison County Hand-Up Initiative remains committed to standing against violent crime through presence, relationships, intervention and mentorship.

If you have information about this shooting, please cooperate with law enforcement. Silence does not make our neighborhoods safer.

09/07/2026

Our community is once again grieving the loss of a life to gun violence.

Early Sunday morning, a 31-year-old man was shot in Anderson and later died from his injuries. The second victim was injured as well. The circumstances that led to the gunfire are still being under investigation.

Disagreements should never end with a family receiving the devastating news that someone they love is never coming home. It should not leave neighbors frightened, children growing accustomed to the sound of gunfire, or another family forever changed by a decision that cannot be taken back.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life. We also pray for everyone affected by this violence and for the officers and investigators working to determine exactly what happened.

We must continue working toward a culture where disagreements are settled with words, where walking away is seen as strength, and where picking up a gun is never the answer.

The Madison County Hand-Up Initiative remains committed to standing against violent crime through presence, relationships, intervention and mentorship.

If you have information about this shooting, please cooperate with law enforcement. Silence does not make our neighborhoods safer.

Police said the shooting happened around 2 a.m. Sept. 6 in the 1600 block of Madison Avenue.

08/30/2026

08/30/2026

What an incredible day for Anderson!

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. James Dixon, PhD, Dr. Alveda King, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Kelly Cardenas, Darren Dunn, and Anderson High School Principal Alan Landes for investing their time, experience, and wisdom into our community.

What made today so special was that there was no script. The conversation was organic, thoughtful, honest, and incredibly informative.

Together, they shared insight drawn from decades of collective experience about how we can improve the quality of life in our
community, reach our young people, and help raise a generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

They didn't simply come all the way to Anderson from all over the nation to speak to us. They came to listen, engage, share, and invest in our people. They stayed after the event ended to give everyone as much time as we needed to ask questions, share concerns and to simply fellowship with each other.

We are incredibly grateful for the time they gave us and for the testimonies, ideas, inspiration, and perspective they brought to Anderson today. This is what happens when people come together with a genuine desire to bring change.

Anderson is full of opportunity and talent. We will grow as we better tap into our potential!

08/29/2026

Grateful for everyone who came out tonight! This is MCHI in action. ❤️