WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?

The Background

In 2021, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced a three-year, $150 million plan to combat violence in Indianapolis. A key part of that plan is the full implementation of the peacemakers’ program, designed to connect individuals from the communities they serve to those who are at the highest risk of being trapped in the cycles of crime and violence. The term “peacemaker” refers to three roles: outreach worker, life coach, and interrupter. Each position plays a different role, with a collective goal: to provide individuals and families with valuable resources and support.

The Issue

Research shows that the vast majority of violent crimes start from personal conflicts, often driven by chronic disenfranchisement in employment, education, housing, and more. By seeking out the individuals that meet certain risk factors and providing intense, short and long-term guidance, we can slowly transform the lives of residents, families, neighborhoods, and the entire Indianapolis community.

The Strategy

The Indy Peace Fellowship refers to those participating in up to 18 months of life coaching and other enriching programming, all aimed at providing hope and opportunity. The Indy Peace Fellowship includes support with basic tasks such as resume building, housing and food resources, cognitive behavioral therapy, and more, with stipends distributed once certain goals are achieved to incentivize participation in the program further.

Peacemakers Make An Impact

Peacemakers Live and work in the communities they serve. Our goal is not to punish or police, but to connect on a deeper level with those who are trapped in the cycles of violence. Through these close and trusting relationships, we can help give individuals the tools they need to succeed.

“PEACEMAKER” REFERS TO 3 ROLES:

Interrupters

Interrupters Respond to shooting scenes and hospitals, mediate conflicts among high-risk individuals and groups, monitor social media to gain information on potential conflicts among groups/crews/gangs, and develop relationships with influential individuals and groups.

Outreach Workers

Outreach Workers Meet with very high-risk (VHR) individuals regularly, get to know them, and develop relationships with influential individuals and groups in the community who are involved in gun violence. They help connect the community to resources that address the root causes of violence.

Life Coach

Life Coaches develop intensive, personal relationships with VHR clients, also known as fellows, maintaining frequent, flexible, and consistent contact for up to 18 months. Throughout this process, Life coaches Work with fellows to develop a LifeMAP to help guide them moving forward.

Data shows that those who are at the highest risk of becoming involved in gun violence meet the following criteria:

PREVIOUSLY SHOT OR KNOWN GUN ACTIVITY

Individuals may have been a shooter or a victim of a non-fatal shooting and will often look for ways to retaliate with violence.
HAD CLOSE PERSON SHOT IN LAST 12 MONTHS

Individuals may have had a close friend or relative shot, resulting in a reason to retaliate.
ASSOCIATED WITH A GANG OR VIOLENT GROUP

May be involved with a gang, group, or crew that has been known to use violence—either as perpetrators, suspects, or victims of gun violence.
AGES 18-35 YEARS

Individuals in our fellowship fit into the age range of late teens to early 30s.
BLACK OR BROWN MALE

We work with any individual who may meet other risk factors, however, the majority of our caseloads tend to meet this criteria.
SIGNIFICANT CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT

Violations may include charges like gun possession, drug possession, battery, or robbery.
UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED

Most individuals are unemployed or do not have a job that pays a livable wage.
LACK OF EDUCATION

Individuals have not completed or achieved a high school diploma or GED/HSE.