ISPN Nonviolence Streetworkers Outreach Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence (ISPN) will support their Nonviolence Streetworkers Program. The Nonviolence Streetworkers Program works to prevent conflicts and assists victims and their families when violent acts occur. ISPN is notified by the Providence Police Department when a stabbing or shooting occurs and deploy the Nonviolence Streetworkers who are among the first responders to the scene. ISPN works daily with victims and helps them and their families recover in a safe and healthy way by providing direct services, referrals, long-term commitment, and complete accessibility. The direct client services offered are crisis intervention, referrals, 24-hour on call services, ER advocacy, hospital visits, and court advocacy. ISPN works to empower victims to find tools necessary to solve problems and to prevent retaliation by the victim. The goal of the program is to reduce gang involvement and violence in Providence and the surrounding areas. The objectives of the program are to conduct street outreach to high risk youths in Providence and the surrounding areas; provide mediations among gang members; provide educational trainings to Providence school involved youths; provide follow-up and referral services to youths who are at the highest risk for gang involvement; and evaluate the effectiveness of program activities.

NCA/NCF