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TRANSFORMING PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH HEALING, HOPE & COMMUNITY POWER

We partner with trusted community leaders to break cycles of violence, support survivors, and build a peaceful future for all DC residents.

TOGETHER WE CAN REDUCE HOMICIDES IN DC BY AT LEAST 60%

A 60% reduction in homicides would save hundreds of lives. So let's get to work.

Peace For DC is committed to ending gun violence in DC and building a peaceful city for all through proven public safety solutions including community violence intervention, healing trauma, transforming the lives of our most vulnerable, systems change, and coordinated strategies.

OUR MISSION

Launch and scale proven public safety strategies and mobilize system change to strengthen community violence intervention efforts, heal trauma, transform lives, and create thriving communities.

OUR VISION

A safe and peaceful city where all residents and businesses can thrive without fear of violence.

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OUR STORY

TURNING ADVOCACY INTO ACTION, PAIN INTO PURPOSE


Founded by gun violence survivors and community activists, Peace For DC is dedicated to amplifying and accelerating evidence-based community-led efforts to stop shootings and homicide and heal trauma in Washington, DC.  â€‹


Peace For DC is committed to building up philanthropic investment in community violence intervention, in order to provide sustainable funding, and capacity and skill-building resources, to the small Black-led organizations providing this life-saving intervention work in the DC neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence.

OUR SERVICES

Direct Interventions for Rapid Results
Driving Progress and Peace

TRAINING

The DC Peace Academy provides advanced, hands-on classes for the professional and personal development of DC's violence intervention professionals.

CIVIC COALITION

Reducing gun violence and building thriving communities requires coordinated efforts and adherence to a strategic plan. Civic coalitions are more agile and innovative than government and can be the catalyst for peace.

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TRAUMA CARE

Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBIs) are integral to all of Peace For DC's programming. CBIs have been proven as the gold standard for healing trauma and an essential element to reducing gun violence in cities across the country.

STOP THE BLEED

Stop The Bleed has been a basic component of Peace For DC’s work since Day One. Just as you would use CPR if someone has a heart attack, Stop The Bleed is a first aid method to help someone who has been shot or stabbed while they await help from medical professionals.

TRANSFORMATION

HEAL DC stands for Healthy Empowered Achieving Leaders for DC. Through this program, Peace For DC is providing wrap-around support to individuals at highest risk of being impacted by gun violence.

ADVOCACY & SYSTEM CHANGE

Peace For DC believes in centering the voices of those who have been impacted by gun violence and those working on the frontlines to interrupt and prevent violence.

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THERE IS NO RACIAL OR ECONOMIC JUSTICE WITHOUT TACKLING GUN VIOLENCE

While gun violence continues to spread throughout the District, it most deeply impacts our Black and Brown communities. These same communities have been locked out of opportunity as they endure structural and systemic marginalization, trauma, and poverty. DC cannot increase economic mobility, close the wealth gap, or achieve equity in education without meeting the basic need for personal safety and freedom from violence.

Compared to all states, DC has the highest homicide rate in 2021 in the US – with 226 deaths and 1330 gunshot wounds treated at emergency departments in 2021. Each fatal shooting costs DC more than $1.53 million in direct costs. Gun violence cost DC taxpayers $1 billion in 2021.
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But gun violence is not an intractable problem. 70% of DC's gun violence is driven by approximately 500 identifiable individuals. Most of this violence is cyclical and retaliatory: therefore, it is predictable and preventable. By working together to scale proven solutions, we can save lives right now.  

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