The Guardian just published an important article about the Thrive Act, legislation co-sponsored by Youth ALIVE! that would provide free mental health services to young survivors and witnesses of gun violence across California.
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“No one should navigate surviving gun violence alone.”
In a powerful new Sacramento Bee op-ed, gun violence survivor Jazzy Eastman shares her journey of survival and healing, and why California must pass the THRIVE Act.
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Violence prevention belongs in our schools.
A new article from The Oaklandside highlights proposals to continue investing in violence prevention services across Oakland schools and the critical role community-based organizations play in creating safer, more supportive environments for students.
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A proposed California bill would provide free mental health services to young survivors of gun violence, addressing a devastating reality: only 37% of child survivors receive mental health care within six months of a shooting, often because of cost and insurance barriers.
The article features a young Oakland survivor who connected with counseling support through Youth Alive after being shot at a house party two years ago. While recovering physically, therapy also helped him process trauma, anger, and regain confidence in himself and his future.
We’re deeply proud of our staff, including Rhea Corson-Higgs, whose work was highlighted in this piece.
This work saves lives.
Sergio Diaz knows how to make people feel comfortable. It is a skill he learned from his years as a salesman selling shoes, cellphones and lawn care hardware in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is no longer a salesman, but relating to others is still crucial in Diaz’s work as a gun violence prevention specialist for the Oakland non-profit Youth Alive.
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On this edition of Your Call, we’re discussing community violence intervention programs in the Bay Area.
Every year, 46,000 people die from gun violence in the US – that’s over 125 deadly shooting every day, according to Giffords. Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens, and people of color are disproportionately impacted. Youth ALIVE!’s Associate Director John Torres, LMFT was interviewed on KALW Public Media alongside partners Paul Carrillo of the GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention and Michael Texada with The Wraparound Project at SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL.
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A recent article in The Guardian highlights a powerful shift in Oakland: homicides have dropped to a 25-year low in 2025, down nearly 50% from 2021 levels. This is real, measurable progress—and for those of us working every day in violence prevention, it reflects years of intentional, community-rooted effort.
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Oakland’s decrease in violence didn’t happen by accident. It reflects sustained investment in community-rooted prevention — including Youth ALIVE!’s School-Based Violence Intervention (SBVI) pilot.
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Over two years working as a school-based violence interrupter at Castlemont, Saffold, 54, has learned to decipher the signs that can precipitate a fight. Yelling is obvious, but sometimes they’re more subtle: A student just seems different one day. Maybe they’re quiet or grumpy.
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Violence Is a Public Health Crisis — and Prevention Works
Last week, ABC News shined a critical spotlight on gun violence in Alameda County — and on the community-based solutions that are helping save lives. Youth ALIVE!’s Executive Director, Dr. Joe Griffin, was interviewed as part of the coverage, elevating both the urgency of this moment and the importance of sustained investment in violence prevention.
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