WHAT
WE DO
Learn more about our programs and using evidence based methods, they have addressed gun violence and recidivism.
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES.
Our programs encompass a wide variety of activities for participants, and they include de-escalation and conflict mediation methods. We show youth and parents new opportunities and skills that can help them work through difficult situations and change unproductive habits. Both services work together to address violence before and after it happens, as well as trauma experienced by victims of gun violence. We also provide trainings in intervention and program construction.
An important factor in improving lives is reducing the risks for potential violence. NMRD employs what is commonly referred to as the Risk Reduction Model of violence prevention. The model was created from the work of J. David Hawkins & Richard Catelano. These men looked at 50 years of research in developing a program called Communities That Care (CTC) which belongs to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) in the office of the United States Government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). CTC is a coalition-based prevention operating system that uses a public health approach to prevent youth problem behaviors such as violence, delinquency, school dropout and substance abuse. The focus is on strengthening protective factors (wrap around services) that can buffer young people from problem behaviors and promote positive youth development. ​ This Risk Reduction approach to addressing negative behaviors uses effective programs that are designed to impact the participant’s attitudes that lead to bad choices. Any youth that is in a diversion program and/or recently released from custody has to have an opportunity to really start fresh. That means that the aftercare following the initial diversion processes has to replace old street successes with new opportunity and chances to succeed. We think our program package does that.
Operation Hope Mentorship (OHMP)
Assists in guiding youth impacted by gun violence to becoming productive citizens who value education and human life. Participants are matched with a mentor that will be available 24/7 (critical situations may be handed off to other team members for round the clock support, as needed.) Through mentorship youth impacted by gun violence have someone to call, seek guidance from, talk through issues with, who stand between them and conflict, and help support their growth & development.
Peace League
NBA styled league is mostly for youth identified as shooters in our community. Players are drafted to play on teams with former rivals. 10 teams x 10 players. Games are attended by family and friends of players. Junior Peace League & Peace League are directly connected to changing norms related to generational neighborhood turf conflict & retaliations. In addition, players in PL have been afforded the opportunity to attend college and play in overseas basketball leagues.
Artist Guild (Peace Through the Arts)
Peace through Fashion (PTF)
Peace through art is the Artist Guild mission, helping to develop artistic talents of youth impacted by and/or participating in acts of gun violence. Participants develop their skills in fine arts and design such as screen-printing, photography, drawing, color theory and more (ages 15-22). The Artist Guild supports artists by providing materials and studio space through its partnership with Relic Supply Co. —addressing the need for quality tools, materials, and space. This gives participants a safe place to hone and showcase their skills.
Peace Watch
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PTF focuses on youth and young adults that have been involved and/or impacted by gun violence. Participants have the opportunity to design; create fashion using innovative technology, and learn new concepts related to the fashion industry. They can develop entrepreneurial, professional etiquette and decision making skills. Participants have the opportunity to join fashion traveling intern programs. Learning these skills will allow youth and young adults to move beyond conflict and retaliation.
A community gun violence strategy - a coming together of proven approaches that have shown good results separately in Louisville and other cities. Interventionists work in concert with each other across neighborhoods and in support of each other. It is imperative that we try a different strategy that is collectively focused and community-centered.
METHODS
Youth Diversion
In order to reduce court appearances, NMRD utilizes youth diversion tactics through programs. Teens with guardian/ parent consent can participate in skill building activities, job preparedness, mentorship through our OHMP and/or counseling through our partners if needed.
Access to Resources
Addressing the elements that contribute to violence is an important component in reducing risks and improving lives. Through our partners Kentucky Harvest, Martin & Muir and others, we can help remedy food scarcity, strengthen mental health, and support job placement.
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)
The NMRD intervention team is trained in the ROCA 'Rewire CBT' structure. NMRD leadership have been utilizing a similar method of changing negative behaviors into positive habits for many years. Methods such as Positive Youth Development and Enhancing Protective Factors incorporate similar strategies.
Outreach
This is an important part of building relationships and staying in connection with what's going on. Outreach workers can be an integral part of reaching new participants and maintaining correspondences with existing program members.
Outcomes
​Measured by needs assessments gathered upfront, and collecting only essential information during a participant's involvement during program and following weeks.
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Less number of youth reoffending
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Improved participant family and peer relationships
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Employment is gained and/or maintained
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Improved school participation: attendance and/or grades
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GED or higher achieved
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Participant becomes leader - Junior Mentor
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Additional resources are utilized
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Numbers of homicides are reduced
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Numbers of shootings are reduced