PEACE BUILDING
CREATING PATHWAYS TO PEACE.
Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative (FSFSC) provides both community and hospital-based violence intervention services to Ward 8's primary and secondary victims of violent crime. FSFSC’s Community-Based Violence Intervention Program, funded through the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, responds to MPD DC Alerts, specifically shootings and stabbings in Ward 8, as well as accepts referrals from community members, residents, governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Violence Interrupters
Credible Messengers Program
Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program
Case Management Services
Violence Interrupters assist with assessing community temperament, facilitating ceasefires and mediations, and assisting with transitioning back into the community safely.
Credible Messenger Initiative" at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) is a transformative, mentoring intervention program for youth committed to the agency, with a restorative justice philosophy for young people in the community at large. The mission of the initiative is to connect all young people in the care and custody of DYRS to healthy homes and supportive communities and to provide preventative supports to all youth in Washington D.C.
Credible messengers are neighborhood leaders, experienced youth advocates, and individuals with relevant life experiences whose role is to help youth transform attitudes and behaviors around violence. They serve young people whose needs go far beyond the traditional mentoring approach of companionship, confidence-building and typical academic, social or career guidance
Currently housed at George Washington University Hospital, funded through the District of Columbia Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants, works to provide bedside rapid on-site violence interrupter and case management services to primary and secondary Ward 8 victims of violence to assist in a safe transition from the hospital back to the community. In addition to George Washington University Hospital, FSFSC also assists United Medical Center and Washington Hospital Center with transitioning victims of violence from the hospital back into their communities.
Case Managers address the needs of the individual and family-inclusive of employment, mental and physical health, housing, education, and youth development as determined by the Individual Service Plan.