OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.–Diversion Hub and LiveFreeOKC, two organizations dedicated to providing resources and alternatives to violence and incarceration, received a $2 million grant from the federal government to expand their work.
The three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will expand Community Violence Intervention (CVI) work in neighborhoods with high rates of violence, the duo announced in a press release Thursday.
“We are so pleased to see this level of funding coming to directly support vulnerable communities in our city. In dozens of cities throughout the nation, CVI programs like LiveFree OKC have proven that gun violence can be dramatically reduced,” stated Meagan Taylor, Diversion Hub executive director.
The grant will fund additional staff to enhance violence reduction services through LiveFreeOKC and increase access to holistic social service support at Diversion Hub.
“Community violence intervention programs operate on the principle that members of communities impacted by gun violence are themselves most capable of addressing the violence. Adequately resourcing this work, however, is critical, and this is a big step in that direction,” LiveFreeOKC Deputy Director Jesse Eddy stated.
LiveFreeOKC and Diversion Hub receive grant to expand violence intervention
LiveFree OKC will build its infrastructure to support a larger staff of PeaceMakers to deescalate conflicts, provide mediation, and connect impacted individuals and families with services that address unmet needs.
Meanwhile, Diversion Hub’s grant-funded Community Navigator will solicit community feedback into approaches to violence reduction and increase the accessibility of Diversion Hub’s comprehensive services and resources.
“We look forward to the close partnership this grant supports between Diversion Hub and LiveFree OKC. Together, we will make our city a safer place for everyone.” Taylor said.
The grant comes with federal Training and Technical Assistance support and a research partnership that will inform national best practices on effective violence reduction strategies. The outcomes of the project will guide future investments into sustainable solutions to gang and gun violence in Oklahoma City.
To learn more about Diversion Hub, visit their website. To tap in to the violence intervention work at LiveFreeOKC, visit their website.
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