By Josh Shortt, FOX 56

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Since 2003, a group of 27 Lexington churches has been working to prevent problems in the community, and they’re getting ready to host a conference Tuesday night.

B.U.I.L.D. (Building a United Interfaith Lexington through Direct Action) has been holding these conferences annually since 2003. Tuesday’s is set to take place at the Central Bank Center at 7 p.m.

The topics of discussion will be the issue of affordable housing, gun violence, and mental health. Members of B.U.I.L.D. spend each year researching stats and numbers on topics that residents are passionate about seeing a change in. As of now, members of B.U.I.L.D. said gun violence, housing, and mental health have been problems people want to see changed.

At the conference, local leaders will attend to hear what the community wants to be fixed, and they’ll speak on how they can make a change if possible.

Board member Gail Swanson said having a bunch of people attend is what will make this conference most effective.

“You’ll have an opportunity to hear from some civic leaders, and you’ll have an opportunity to hear their thoughts, and whether or not they’re willing to support the issues that we’re trying to solve. We ask for stories. What keeps you up at night, what wakes you up at 3 o clock in the morning? What are you worried about? Then, we take all of those stories and sort of put them together. A few weeks after that, a group of leaders get together,” Swanson said.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the event will start at 7 p.m. For those wanting to attend through zoom, the link to register can be found here.

See original story here.