What We Are Doing — Indy Peace Website

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.

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 MALE OR PERSON OF COLOR

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.

Indy Peace Leadership

Lauren Rodriguez

Deputy Mayor of Public Health & Safety for the City of Indianapolis
Martine Romy Bernard-Tucker

Director of the Office of Public Health & Safety
Tony Lopez

Deputy Director, Violence Reduction Office of Public Health & Safety
Dane Nutty

President\CEO, Indy Public Safety Foundation
Mary Alexander

Director of Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, Indy Public Safety Foundation
Shardae Hoskins

Lead Program Manager