As Providence struggles through the worst gun violence in many years, an article in the New York Times addresses this very situation our community is facing. Times Reporter German Lopez explored explanations for the surge in violence, namely the COVID-19 pandemic, the protests for racial justice in the summer of 2020, and the record-breaking surge in gun sales.
Lopez offers short and long-term solutions that our staff, clients, partners, and supporters have been striving toward since the Institute was founded by the ministry at St. Michael's Church in Providence:
Community partnerships that "enrich both individuals' and communities' socioeconomic standing over time"
Focused policing, as Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements discussed in an interview in December, that targets the people and places most likely to be violent
Mayor Elorza and the Providence City Council have taken strong measures to address these issues by funding programs that will directly improve the lives of the people directly impacted by violence:
SEED, a job readiness program for in-risk youth, and a Nonviolence Workshop Series at the Providence Public Libraries
Mentorship opportunities to provide support to students and young adults in areas of the city where programs do not currently exist
Expansion of the City's youth jobs program, to include 450 year-round jobs paying $15 per hour.
Complimenting the City's initiatives, NVI provides additional targeted support through our Intervention Team. Outreach Specialists are on the streets diffusing potentially violent situations, and Victim Services provide key support and services to those directly impacted by violence.
We know how to break the cycle of violence and we are thrilled to be part of the solution.