Cohort 5 (January - May 2026)

Juan Avila

Bakersfield, CA

Career Pathways for Community Violence Intervention Staff
This project establishes a structured workforce development model for Community Violence Intervention (CVI) frontline staff in Kern County. Designed to address workforce instability caused by inconsistent funding, the initiative provides individualized career planning, mentorship, training, certifications, and cross-sector skill development. By creating clear advancement pathways within and beyond CVI, the project seeks to improve staff retention, economic mobility, and long-term workforce sustainability while strengthening violence intervention efforts in communities most impacted by violence.