John—
Right now, Congress has the chance to make a historic, first-of-its-kind investment of $5 billion in community-based gun violence intervention programs by passing the Build Back Better Act. This kind of action is long overdue, and would help deliver much needed resources to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by this public health crisis for decades.
Here's what that $5 billion investment would support:
- Street Outreach Programs: By using a public health approach to fight violence, street outreach workers leverage earned trust and credibility to engage those at risk to mediate conflicts and prevent retaliatory violence.
- Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs: These programs engage with survivors in the days and months following a violent injury to offer mental health, financial, educational, and other social services.
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: Simple steps like cleaning vacant lots, restoring abandoned buildings, and adding lighting to public spaces can reduce gun violence and improve quality of life.
- Summer Youth Employment Programs: These programs provide young people with skills development opportunities like internships and jobs that reduce an individual's risk of harm while preparing them to access future employment.
All of these solutions are proven to reduce gun violence and strengthen our communities—we need Congress to act.
John, tell your U.S. rep to invest $5 billion in community-based gun violence intervention programs by passing the Build Back Better Act.
Thank you for being a part of this movement, and thank you for taking action to end gun violence.
Rob Wilcox
Federal Legal Director
Everytown for Gun Safety
