What Does It Mean To Be Credible? | Interrupting the Cycle of Youth Violence

Interrupting the cycle of youth violence requires a comprehensive, community-led effort. Credibility is essential at all levels of operation and implementation. Respect, trustworthiness, reliability, and consistency are all characteristics of credibility that apply to partner agencies and individual professionals.

Credibility is critical to building relationships with youth and their families to create opportunities for substantive intervention. A crucial piece of this process involves authentic individuals whose experiences enhance their connection to youth, their families, and the community more broadly.

For individuals in these roles, despite their compassion and dedication, credibility is not a given; it must be demonstrated. This takes personal commitment and a strong support structure. When successful, individuals in these roles are the key to transformational change in improving public safety and uplifting the lives of youth impacted by community violence.

This webinar held on October 26, 2022 and presented by OJJDP's National Gang Center, explores the roles of these key professionals, including street outreach workers, credible messengers, violence interrupters, and other youth advocates who work to intervene in youth violence. In addition to a brief presentation, practitioners from the field will join a panel discussion to share their specific experiences on the topic.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the broad landscape and importance of the work of youth violence intervention professionals.
• Explain why credibility matters and how it is essential for facilitating transformative change.
• List strategies for strengthening and sustaining credibility with youth and families, in the community, and with partners.