We aim to reduce violence and foster safer neighborhoods in Buffalo, New York through youth engagement and community outreach. Our Street Engagement Team works directly with at-risk youth, including gang-affiliated individuals, providing connections to essential services, resources, and community support. In collaboration with local partners, including the Buffalo Police Department (BPD), we ensure that updates and interventions are timely, accurate, and address critical needs within targeted areas.

We use the Cure Violence model, which treats violence as a public health issue and an epidemic. This framework involves interrupting conflicts and changing norms, with education generally being delivered by credible messengers, namely people from the community often with lived experiences of violence.

• Active in high-need neighborhoods, identified by zip codes 14202, 14204, 14206, 14211 and 14215
• Targeting youth aged 14-24 who may be referred through schools, probation, parole, police or partner agencies
• Focus on preventive measures such as mentoring and skill-building programs
• Fosters positive behavioral change and reduces influence of gang involvement

Youth Enrollment and Engagement

• Serve at least 175 at-risk youth annually through mentoring and engagement initiatives
• Conduct 6 conflict resolution classes with a post-session survey (25 questions) to assess participants’ understanding of gun violence and intervention strategies
• Weekly sessions with youth and community members every Friday at the Merriweather Library from 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm, focusing on strategy review and data sharing

Collaborative Partner Programming

• Buffalo Black Billions: Instruction in gardening, greenhouse management, LLC applications, and corporate training
• Y.O.U.T.H. Organization: Music and culinary skill-building programs.
• NAN (Homicide and Healing): Focus on trauma recovery and healing
• Urban League: GED preparation and job readiness training
• Good Shepherd Temple: Headquarters for STVC program operations
• Just Breathe Initiative: SEPTED-based training for safety awareness

Skills and Career Readiness Curriculum

• Youth program teaching economics
• Work therapy program
• Ten-hour curriculum focused on gun and violence prevention awareness
• Culinary Program: Teaching basic life skills through cooking
• GED Program Enrollment: Available through the Urban League
• Youth Employment Program (YEP): Work stipends to youth of $16.50/hour for 20 hours per week
• Defensive Driving Course: Through Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
• Law Enforcement Program Exposure: Opportunities for youth to explore and participate in law enforcement pathways through the BPD.

Stop the Violence Coalition’s Executive Director Murray Holman co-hosts a radio show called “Voice Your Opinion” with Pastor Tim Newkirk on WUFO on Mondays at 11.00am-12:00pm. It is an open discussion of all things happening in the City of Buffalo.