Three-Cities Nonviolence Program

The Supporting Victims of Gang Violence Grant Program provides funding for localities to increase the availability of direct support services for victims of gang-related violence and to develop or enhance the responses to children and youth exposed to gang-related violence in their homes, schools, and communities. This program is authorized by Pub. L. No. 116-6, 133 Stat. 13, 113.

The Three-Cities Nonviolence Program is led by the Nonviolence Institute in Providence (formerly the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence) and is designed to provide support for victims of gang violence or gang-related crime. The program will target youth victims and their families in the Rhode Island cities of Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls. The purpose is to improve outcomes for young victims and their families and prevent re-victimization. Project goals are to (1) develop more effective identification and referral processes for victims of gang violence and gang-related crime in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Fails; (2) implement and expand evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies that help identify victims of crime and provide an appropriate response, including Nonviolence Streetworker Outreach, Social Worker-Police Go-Teams, and Hospital Based Violence Intervention; (3) increase community stakeholder engagement in identifying and meeting the needs of victims of gang violence and gang-related crime; (4) improve the use of data to better identify youth victims of crime and provide appropriate services and supports; and (5) share lessons learned and ensure long-term sustainability of best practices. The Three-Cities Nonviolence Program will be led by the Nonviolence Institute in Providence with Family Service of Rhode Island as a subgrantee to provide Go-Team services. Key partners are the police departments and school departments in each of the three cities, as well as the state Attorney General's Office, Lifespan, and Rhode Island Hospital. Expected outcomes include reduced gang involvement by youth, reduced victimization and re-victimization, and improved health and wellness of youth victims and their families. An annual Three-Cities Summit will be held to share lessons learned and best practices with key stakeholders from the three cities and statewide.

CA/NCF