CLEVELAND PEACEMAKERS INC

CHARACTER & CITIZENSHIP: CLEVELAND PEACEMAKERS IS A GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION (CVI) ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SAVING LIVES AND FOSTERING SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS. WE FOCUS ON ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 14-24 WHO ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF BEING INVOLVED IN GUN VIOLENCE. OUR INTERVENTIONS INCLUDE COURT ADVOCACY, HOSPITAL-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WE DEPLOY STREET OUTREACH WORKERS, KNOWN AS "CREDIBLE MESSENGERS," WHO MEDIATE CONFLICTS, PREVENT SHOOTINGS, PROVIDE IMMEDIATE CRISIS RESPONSE, AND CONNECT HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS TO ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY AND SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND DE-ESCALATE CONFLICTS BEFORE THEY TURN FATAL, BUILDING HEALTHIER AND SAFER COMMUNITIES.CLEVELAND PEACEMAKERS HAS SERVED OVER 100 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, RECEIVING REFERRALS FROM LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTERS, JUVENILE AND ADULT COURT SYSTEMS, CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND WORD-OF-MOUTH. THROUGH A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED, WE PROVIDE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION CURRICULA TO STUDENTS FROM 10 HIGH SCHOOLS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.WE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN OVER 30 COMMUNITY EVENTS, INCLUDING TABLING, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, CITYWIDE TRAININGS, AND FIREARM SAFETY EDUCATION SESSIONS. THIS PAST SUMMER, WE EMPLOYED FIVE JUNIOR OUTREACH WORKERS THROUGH YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED. WE FACILITATED OVER 100 UBER RIDES FOR PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND COURT, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, AND WORK. OUR TEAM SUCCESSFULLY MEDIATED OVER 50 CONFLICTS THROUGH OUR SAFE PASSAGES INITIATIVE AND SUPPORTED MORE THAN 100 FAMILIES AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDED OVER 150 MEALS AND GIFT CARDS TO FAMILIES WHO LOST A LOVED ONE TO VIOLENCE, ATTENDED OVER 25 FUNERALS, AND OFFERED FUNERAL PLANNING SUPPORT, DISCOUNTS, AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUCH AS GRIEF COUNSELING, SAFE HOUSING, RELOCATION ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER VITAL SUPPORT SERVICES.