Resident-led violence prevention, neighborhood healing, and youth engagement across Detroit.
Safety is something neighbors build together, not only something that arrives after a call.
Lasting safety comes from relationships: mentors who know young people by name, neighbors who check on each other, and trusted messengers who can calm conflict before it turns violent. We support intervention partners, bring residents into safety planning, and push institutions to invest in prevention and healing.
What we do
Detroit’s Violence Intervention Network
Through the City’s ShotStoppers program, six community groups each take responsibility for a high-violence zone of Detroit. They use credible messengers, mediation, mentoring, and neighborhood resources to interrupt violence. Know them, support them, and connect neighbors to them.
Aug 2024–Aug 2025 vs. prior year. University of Michigan Poverty Solutions, reported by Michigan Public, Sept 2026.
Launched in 2026 under Mayor Mary Sheffield and led by Director Teferi Brent, this office is the City’s central hub for violence prevention. It brings community groups, public health professionals, and advocates together, treating violence as a public health issue.
The six ShotStoppers organizations
Zone: Warrendale and Franklin Park area: Plymouth Rd. to the southern city line, Southfield Fwy. to Rouge Park
Credible messengers who mediate disputes before they turn deadly. Mentoring, conflict resolution, mental health support, and job referrals for young people at risk, plus direct help for families affected by violence.
Zone: Curtis Ave. to Schoolcraft Rd., Wyoming Ave. to Hubbell St.
Grassroots "mudroots" outreach led by Zeek and Kierra Williams. Mobile resource fairs, the Safe Zone app for anonymous neighborhood reports, conflict-resolution programs, and Meet in the Streets corner gatherings.
Zone: Grandmont and Hubbell-Lyndon area: Puritan Ave. to W. Chicago Ave., Hubbell St. to Southfield Rd.
A community action team of residents, faith groups, and businesses. Embedded in local schools and churches, they step in to de-escalate conflicts and protect seniors, women, and children.
Zone: 8 Mile Rd. to Curtis Ave., Hubbell Ave. to Burt Rd.
Works hand in hand with neighborhood schools on conflict resolution, mentoring, and after-school programs for students. Also offers group therapy, foreclosure prevention, and Adopt the Block cleanups.
Zone: Outer Drive–Hayes area: Moross Rd., Harper Ave., Conner St., and Gratiot to Kelly Rd.
Led by Ray Winans, a former gang member turned peacemaker. Talks directly with young people, including at Pershing High School, where rival groups have come together around peace.
Zone: Denby area: 8 Mile from Goulburn Ave. to Kelly Rd., south to Whittier Ave.
A three-partner coalition pairing Wayne Metro’s family services and survivor housing help with youth-led neighborhood revival and Camp Restore’s faith-based work to reduce poverty and violence.
How we do it
Hear from residents and young people.
Work with intervention and mentoring groups.
Connect families to trauma-informed support.
Press for prevention that works.
Questions
We partner with and support them, and organize residents around safety. We’re not an emergency service.
Use the volunteer form and select “Youth engagement.”
Yes. Contact us through Get Involved.
