New York City was the picture of joy on Saturday, June 13. Impromptu and diverse celebrations erupted all across the five boroughs as the Knicks’ victory inspired unending hometown pride. The happiness is still in the air and while most of the partying was beautiful to see, some of it took an ugly turn. Let us be clear: the majority of New Yorkers were showing their joy safely and peacefully. Scenes of violence and destruction have no place in our city.
As the party continues with the World Cup following the NBA finals excitement, we emphasize our call for New Yorkers to harness their fervor and excitement safely. More than that, we invite New Yorkers to turn this joy into purpose. We’ve learned so much through pain. Let joy be the sentiment that guides us this time.
Gun Violence Awareness Month might be over, but the work of gun violence prevention continues. Hold on to the jubilation you felt through the Knicks run and let it be what moves you in the fight for every New Yorker’s right to be safe and happy. If you don’t know where to begin, here’s a (non-exhaustive) round-up of violence prevention organizations and initiatives that can help you get started. Support their work and consider getting involved.
Brooklyn
CAMBA, Brownsville In Violence Out (BIVO) - Following the Cure Violence model, BIVO seeks to identify at-risk youth to help prevent future gun violence in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The program provides participants between the ages of 14 and 24 with a variety of supportive services, including job training programs and access to employment, legal and therapeutic services, as well as school conflict mediation.
Elite Learners - Their work focuses on community-based anti-violence initiatives and youth programming.
Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI) - KAVI’s mission is to prevent and eliminate interpersonal violence from the lives of young people through education, advocacy, leadership, community mobilization, racial equity, and social justice.
Operation H.O.O.D (Helping Our Own Develop) - H.O.O.D. aims to identify and mediate conflicts among high-risk youth, mentor high-risk youth to change behaviors away from gun violence, and mobilize the community to raise awareness about violence and promote community norms that reject violence.
Project Empowering Communities Through Healing and Opportunities (Project ECHO) - As the name suggests, they work to empower the community through healing-centered services and providing opportunities for residents.
YouthBridge-Brooklyn - Connected to JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council), this program focuses on mentorship and community-based youth leadership development.
Bronx
Bronx SUV - Stand Up To Violence - A Jacobi Medical Center violence prevention initiative, Bronx SUV operates community-based outreach and violence interruption services, focusing on redirecting individuals at high risk of involvement in gun violence.
Release The Grip (RTG) - As a key partner in the Crisis Management System (CMS), RTG deploys violence interrupters to mediate conflicts and de-escalate tensions.
Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) South Bronx and Morrisania - S.O.S is a community violence intervention (CVI) program within New York City’s Crisis Management System (CMS) network. Responsibilities include deploying trained violence interrupters to mediate conflicts, engaging in community outreach to foster safety, and connecting high-risk individuals with support services.
Manhattan
Guns Down, Life Up - Guns Down, Life Up (GDLU) partners with public health professionals and community-based organizations to prevent and interrupt the cycle of violence that robs youth of their full potential.
Stand Against Violence East Harlem (SAVE) - Focusing on the Cure Violence Approach, SAVE employs violence interrupters to prevent shootings and provide support services to those most at risk.
Street Corner Resources - Utilizes credible messengers to engage with community members, provide mentorship, and disrupt potential violence on the streets of Harlem.
Queens
100 Suits - 100 Suits reduces recidivism and stops violence by addressing economic poverty. They provide business attire, pre-interview grooming services, and career resources to formerly incarcerated individuals and underprivileged youth.
King of Kings Foundation, Inc. - The King of Kings Foundation focuses on youth development and community empowerment working directly with credible messengers to offer gang-prevention models and trauma-informed support.
LIFE (Love Ignites Freedom thru Education) Camp, Inc. - LIFE Camp. provides historically marginalized youth and families impacted by violence with tools to launch sustainable careers, avert incarceration, and optimize talent.
Staten Island
Staten Island Justice Center - Provides individual counseling, psychoeducational group programming, youth leadership, mentorship programming, and workforce development training to both young people and adults impacted by the justice system.
True2Life - As part of the New York City Crisis Management System, True2Life uses a public health and science-based approach that treats violence as a learned behavior that can be prevented by utilizing disease control methods.
Across the Five Boroughs
NYC Cure Violence Program - A 311 round up of anti gun violence programs across the five boroughs that are based on the Cure Violence model.
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Photos by Carol Campos for the Office of the Public Advocate