A number of nonprofit safety and victims organizations tell CBS News they are being stripped of federal grant funding by the Department of Justice. One of the organizations, the National Center for Victims of Crime, said it will have to shutter its hotline service for crime victims as early as Friday due to the funding reduction.
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Hundreds of millions of federal grant dollars meant to prevent and respond to gun violence, opioid addiction and support victims of violent crimes were cut this week by the Trump administration. The US department of justice emailed more than 350 organizations on Tuesday to tell them that the promised funding was being terminated. According to a termination notice shared with the Guardian, the Department of Justice said the money was rescinded because it “no longer effectuates Department priorities”.
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Youth ALIVE! is honored to have been selected as one of the winners of the Catalyst Award at this year’s East Bay Innovation Awards hosted by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance. Congratulations to our fellow winners and honorees. This award is recognition in honor of our dedication to creating outcomes for equity and advancement, and for our many efforts in driving invaluable innovations within the East Bay and contributing to economic success of the Golden State. It was wonderful to share in the excitement with YA! Board Members Sarah Chavez-Yoell and Tracy Jensen MBA MPH and to connect with our friends and partners. Our Director of Development and Communications Lauren Greenberg along with Associate Director John Torres, LMFT attended and accepted the award on behalf of YA!.
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🔥 Our Students Are The Future! 🔥
We couldn’t be more proud of our Teens on Target (TNT) youth leaders who recently took the stage at the THE BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE “Building A Future Without Gun Violence” conference in Los Angeles. They shared their stories, their advocacy, and their vision for a safer future.
Through Youth ALIVE!, these young leaders are on the front lines of gun violence prevention, training their peers, advocating for change, and promoting healing within their communities. Their courage, passion, and determination inspire us every day.
🌟 The future belongs to them, and we’re here to support them every step of the way.
#YouthAlive #TeensOnTarget #GunViolencePrevention #YouthLeadership #Advocacy #BuildingAFuture #LosAngeles #BradyConference #YouthVoicesMatter
Gun Violence Prevention Programs Face Uncertain Federal Funding—But Our Work Continues
At Youth ALIVE!, we know that preventing gun violence means addressing its root causes—providing real alternatives and support to survivors before violence can escalate. This CBS News article by Stephanie Wolf highlights the critical role of hospital-based intervention programs, featuring insights from our team members Paris Davis, MPA,CNP and John Torres, LMFT.
As Paris Davis, our Intervention Programs Director, explains: “That might mean providing alternative solutions to gunshot victims who might otherwise seek retaliation. If that’s helping them relocate out of the area, if that’s allowing them to gain housing, if that’s shifting that energy into education or a job or, you know, family therapy—whatever the needs are for that particular case and individual—that is what we provide.”
The public health approach to gun violence prevention works. Programs like ours have contributed to significant reductions in violent injury recidivism. Yet, federal funding uncertainty threatens these lifesaving efforts.
As our Associate Director, John Torres, put it: “We’ve been worried about, if a domino does fall, how is it going to impact us? There’s a lot of unknowns.”
Despite the uncertainty, we remain committed to serving our communities and finding ways to sustain this work. We need continued investment—from policymakers, funders, and community members—to ensure that survivors get the support they need to heal and thrive.
At Youth ALIVE!, we believe in fostering hope, healing, and meaningful change in our community. This week, we were honored to host a roundtable discussion in partnership with The Life Goes On Foundation, dedicated to supporting survivors of gun violence and spinal cord injuries. This important gathering brought together community members, advocates, and survivors to share experiences, identify needs, and explore meaningful ways to provide support.
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As a leader in Youth Alive, Jalesha Fitzpatrick educates young people about cycles of violence, poverty, and abuse.
alesha Fitzpatrick spent many afterschool hours in Youth Alive’s Teens on Target program at Castlemont High School, advising young people about gun violence and violence prevention efforts in Oakland.
Read More...Youth ALIVE!'s Deputy Director John Torres Represents at White House Roundtable on Preventing Gun Violence in Latino Communities
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Youth Alive! Partners with Oakland Ballers to Kick Off Youth Alive Night
We are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership between Youth Alive! and the Oakland Ballers, the city’s newest baseball team dedicated to fostering community pride and engagement. As two organizations deeply rooted in the heart of Oakland, our shared mission is to create a healthier, more vibrant city where our youth can thrive.
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Rafael is a dedicated leader with over 15 years of experience in public health, community engagement, and healthcare management. Currently serving as the incoming CEO at Gardner Health Services, Rafael has always been committed to improving the well-being of our communities, especially underserved populations. His deep understanding of public health issues and his commitment to community-centered care make him a valuable asset to our mission of preventing violence and promoting healing in Oakland.
We are excited to have his expertise and passion back on our board and look forward to the impact we will make together. Welcome back, Rafael!