Advance Peace National Peacemakers Network

America’s homicide rate is among the highest in the world, and it is only increasing: the COVID-19 pandemic saw a rise in homicides, particularly among African American men. It is vital that cities work to reduce violence now. The Advance Peace (AP) model is an evidence-based gun violence interruption strategy that combines street outreach, case management, mental health support, employment support and job training, and other supports. In 2022, Advance Peace prevented 134 firearm incidents causing injury or death, saving partner cities $67–268 million. By building relationships with the individuals who are most likely to be involved in gun violence, Advance Peace interrupts this cycle.

The Advance Peace National Peacemakers Network (APNPN) will support a Community of Practice (CoP) of 11 cities nationwide to implement the AP Peacemaker Fellowship model: Stockton, CA; Vallejo, CA; Antioch, CA; Fresno, CA; Pomona, CA; Richmond, CA; Woodland, CA; Fort Worth, TX; Lansing, MI; Rochester, NY; and Orlando, FL. APNPN will oversee operations in Stockton and Vallejo before supporting these locations to sustain their own operations in year 3 and beyond. AP Fellows have an average age of 26, though they range from as young as 13 to as old as late 30s. Fellows will be identified by: AP staff knowledge of the networks of young people involved in gun violence, referrals from community-based organizations, and law enforcement data.

Advance Peace will partner with UC Berkeley to evaluate program data for all 10 participating cities to determine the success of the model. The mixed methods design will include quantitative and qualitative data from a customized smartphone application developed by UC Berkeley School of Public Health and collected by program staff.