Innovation Fund Grantees

Each student designed a cap­stone project relat­ed to the devel­op­ment of a gun vio­lence reduc­tion pro­gram or inno­va­tion. Each project was cre­at­ed with feed­back from a team of advi­sors, and stu­dents defend­ed their work before a pan­el to com­plete the program.

An ​“inno­va­tion fund” cre­at­ed by the Uni­ver­si­ty of Chica­go and the Annie E. Casey Foun­da­tion grant­ed eight excep­tion­al projects seed fund­ing for addi­tion­al con­sul­ta­tion, imple­men­ta­tion or evaluation:

Melody Brooks – Chicago, IL: Addressing Burnout

This project seeks to address chronic burnout among community violence intervention workers by providing trauma-informed mental health resources, peer support networks, and sustainable compensation strategies. By tackling key stressors such as financial insecurity, excessive workloads, and lack of tailored wellness programs, this initiative aims to improve retention, strengthen violence prevention efforts and ensure long-term community safety.

David Johnson – Durham, NC: NC F.O.R.C.E

This NC F.O.R.C.E (Frontline, Optimization, Resilience, & Community Empowerment) professionalizes community violence intervention outreach workers and violence interrupters through college-based education and certification. With a curriculum focused on mental health, community health, and peer support, it equips frontline workers to address violence more effectively. In partnership with Durham Tech and local organizations, the program builds career pathways and strengthens public safety through a skilled CVI workforce.

Rahaman Kilpatrick – Washington, DC: Beat the Streets: Healing Through Hip-Hop

Beat the Streets is a trauma-informed program that reduces juvenile crime by engaging high-risk youth through hip-hop-based music therapy, life coaching, and case management. It helps participants process trauma, build emotional regulation, and develop life skills. With personalized support and connections to education and mental health services, the program fosters resilience and reduces recidivism by empowering youth to rewrite their life stories.

Jazzika Matthews – Baton Rouge, Louisiana: PULSE Forward: Building a CVI Ecosystem in the Deep South

PULSE Forward is a dual-entity initiative advancing CVI in Louisiana and the Deep South through grassroots support and policy advocacy. In partnership with Southern University, it will launch the Center for Gun Violence Advocacy and Solutions to lead regional research, policy, and community engagement, driving systemic change and reducing violence.

Courtney Scott – Baton Rouge, Louisiana: P3 Connects: A Collaborative Digital Platform for Community Violence Intervention

This project proposes a centralized digital platform to unify and strengthen the CVI ecosystem. By connecting CVI organizations nationwide, the platform will support real-time collaboration, mentorship, resource sharing, and data-driven decision-making. Designed for accessibility, it will help CVI networks scale effective strategies, secure funding, and track impact—ultimately fostering a more coordinated, sustainable, and impactful approach to reducing community violence.

Kwelli Sneed – Washington, DC: The IRS is Coming! Strengthening Financial and Operational Compliance to Advance Community Violence Interventions

This project aims to strengthen Community Violence Intervention (CVI) organizations by addressing critical challenges in compliance, financial management, and workforce development. Through activities like financial training, compliance assessments, and workforce development workshops, the initiative will enhance organizational sustainability and expand hiring pathways for individuals with lived experience. By integrating trauma-informed supervision and structured support, the project will reduce burnout, improve operational stability, and build a stronger, more resilient CVI workforce dedicated to advancing community safety.

Jason Watson – St. Louis Missouri: Broken Systems, Broken Hearts: Peace on Wheels RV Project

The Peace on Wheels RV Project brings free, culturally responsive mental health care to North St. Louis neighborhoods most affected by gun violence and lacking access to services. By delivering trauma-informed support in a mobile, community-rooted setting, the project aims to reduce violence, increase service use, and disrupt cycles of untreated trauma.

Varonkia Wilson – Dallas, TX: The Vanguard Project: RID Addressing Gun Violence Through Economic Empowerment in Red Zone Areas

The Vanguard Project aims to reduce gun violence in Dallas’s highest crime neighborhoods by transforming vacant properties into V-Spots, community hubs offering economic opportunities, education, and violence prevention services. Focused on youth, returning citizens, and at-risk residents, the project’s three pillar approach—Reeducate, Incapacitate, Deescalate—seeks to break cycles of poverty and violence while creating jobs, launching businesses, and generating long term impact.