MCC’S PROGRAMS ARE
Transforming lives, communities and homes
About Community Violence Intervention
Milwaukee Christian Center has implemented a Community Violence Intervention ecosystem that is able to address needs along the spectrum of violence prevention. This program works to prevent and mediate conflicts while offering support to youth in order to inhibit violence both in schools and out in the community by helping young people thrive through three programs: Violence Free Zone, Credible Messengers and Advance Peace.
Community Violence Intervention Programs
Violence Free Zone
The Violence Free Zone (VFZ) serves more than 550 high school students decreasing incidents of disruptions, violence and suspensions, by connecting them with mentors to build skills and resilience to resolve conflicts peacefully, achieve academically, and positively lead their peers at five MPS high schools. Additionally, through a program called Young Professionals Academy, Youth Advisors work with VFZ youth to increase attendance and ensure success in their first and future places of employment through life skills development, work readiness training, and ongoing job coaching. MCC’s site agency, Running Rebels, administers VFZ at 7 additional schools throughout MPS.
VFZ Goals:
Inspire young people to achieve academically and socially
Decrease violence & disruption within the school environment
Improve accessibility to school climate surveys
Increase student attendance among caseloads
Credible Messengers
MCC’s Credible Messengers is part of a national model that allows VFZ to evolve into a program that has influence and effect in schools and on the streets. Staff is equipped with specialized training to serve as mentors/mediators and sometimes violence interrupters. This effort works with local government, community, and the juvenile justice systems to build trust, inspire change, and encourage youth to imagine positive and productive futures.
Beginning in 2024, Milwaukee Christian Center is piloting the Advance Peace Program in Milwaukee to address gun violence more deeply. This new program will take trauma-informed, healing-centered case management approach to working with young people, ages 14-24 who are at the core of gun violence in Milwaukee. Advance Peace engages the small number of individuals at the center of gun violence in one-on-one, personalized fellowships to build new opportunities and break the cycle.
Get a glimpse into the impact of Violence Free Zone:
Program Partners:
