Buncombe County Community Safety Initiative

Proposal Abstract

Buncombe County CVIPI

Purpose: The purpose of the Buncombe County CVIPI project is to prevent and reduce violent crime in Asheville, NC by implementing a comprehensive, evidence-based, community-led, data-driven and trauma informed violence intervention and prevention program.

Primary activities: This project will build upon and advance the outreach, community engagement, research, and strategic planning work of the Buncombe County Community Safety Initiative (BCCSI) a collaboration of the County Justice Services Department (JSD), police, government, and local CBOs.

Funds will be used to: 1) create a Grants/Program Manager position dedicated to supporting and expanding the work of the BCCSI, 2) sustain and enhance community engagement work with residents of at-risk neighborhoods and victims/survivors of community violence; 3) enhance and refine the Community Buncombe County Violence Prevention and Community Safety Plan, with ongoing community input and leadership, and 4) contract with a local CBO to hire Community Health Workers trained in Violence Prevention (CHWVPs) to support implementation of the evidence-based CHASM Violence Intervention Program that community partners have recommended to the County.

Expected Outcomes: An enhanced Buncombe County Violence Prevention and Community Safety Plan, and accompanying implementation plan, will be created in a collaborative, community-led Working Group process. CHWVPs will connect residents of at-risk neighborhoods to services and resources. Residents and CVI practitioners will attend resilience trainings, youth and young adults will receive mentoring, and ongoing community engagement will foster trust and build a strong foundation for long-term violence prevention and intervention work.

Service Area: This project will focus on neighborhoods exhibiting high rates of gun violence and homicide: Hillcrest, Klondyke, and Deaverview (ZIP codes 28801 and 28806), with the potential to add communities such as PVA (28806), Southside (28801), and Shiloh (28803).

Intended beneficiaries and contractors: Committed partners on this project include the SPARC Foundation, My Daddy Taught Me That (MDTMT), and Resources for Resilience (RFR). These organizations will continue the collaborative work of the Street Team, conduct youth outreach and mentorship, and build community through trauma-informed, resilience-focused listening sessions. Two CBOs will also be engaged through an open RFP process: One will hire and supervise the team of CHWVPs; another will provide clinical support to frontline CVI practitioners serving in at-risk communities.

Funding Priorities: This project seeks priority consideration under Funding Priorities 1A and 3 as described on page 11 of the Proposal Narrative.