About Our Program

Heal 901 Cures is a Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative that aims to prevent gun violence using the Cure Violence Global (CVG) model. Previously, Heal 901 Cures had an office in the New Horizon Apartment Complex (formerly Kingsgate Apartments). Heal 901's Staff worked within that community Tuesday-Saturdays, 2pm-10pm.

The Heal 901 Cures Team of Community Safety Specialists and Outreach Workers makes connections with community members in Memphis and intervenes during violent incidents to keep the community safe. 

Facts About Violence

• Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens.
• ​Black and Hispanic/Latino youth (ages 1–17) are disproportionately burdened by gun violence.
  
• In 2022, Black youth in this age demographic had a gun death rate approximately six times higher than their white counterparts.

Source

Implementing the CVG Model

Heal 901 utilizes the CVG model, which approaches and fights community violence using a public health approach: 

• We interrupt the transmission of violence
  • Our team steps into potentially violent situations to deescalate and defuse.
• We prevent the spread of violence
  • ​Our team works with affected parties after conflict to mediate the situation so there is no retaliation.
• We change norms about violence
  • ​Our team works with the community to change the normalization of violence. 

Community Safety Specialists

• Identify and detect violent events
• Deescalate in potentially violent situations 
  
• Monitor the pulse of the community 
• Link community members to outreach workers
• Provide an example of norm changes to the community

Outreach Workers

• Maintain an active caseload of participants who are at highest risk.
• ​Connect community members  and participants with needed resources
• Mediate conflicts
• Provide an example of norm changes to the community