LANSING, Mich. – To help organizations address community violence, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has awarded $1.5 million to five organizations through a competitive grant process.
“All Michigan residents should feel safe in their homes, schools and communities,” said Amy Epkey, MDHHS acting director. “This funding will help support local organizations as they work to prevent violence and reduce its adverse outcomes in their local communities.”
Funding was provided to advance and strengthen community violence intervention (CVI) services for groups with the highest likelihood of involvement in firearm violence. Proposals were prioritized for programs with measurable activities aimed at reducing firearm violence, while integrating public health and public safety, in the following counties: Genessee (Flint), Ingham (Lansing), Saginaw, Berrien (Benton Harbor/Benton Township) and Wayne (Detroit).
Five organizations were each awarded $300,000 to support two-year projects starting Sept. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2028.
- Present Pillars, Benton Harbor, will focus on reducing nonfatal shootings and homicides in the 49022 ZIP code by defining the local problem, identifying the people and places at highest risk, building a coordinated response system, intervening directly with those most likely to be involved in firearm violence and using data for continuous improvement.
- Crim Fitness Foundation, Flint, will focus on neighborhoods and ZIP codes experiencing the highest concentrations of firearm violence. The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the Greater Flint Community Safety Collaborative, convened by the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, and will integrate violence interruption readiness, credible messenger development, conflict mediation, community engagement, trauma-informed support and implementation planning for long-term sustainability.
- HELP (Healing, Engagement, Love and Presence) Community Violence Intervention Program, Saginaw, will implement a strategy designed to interrupt cycles of firearm violence, prevent retaliation, address trauma and reduce risk factors associated with violent injury among youth and young adults.
- Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday (DLIVE) will use the Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program model to focus on the post-injury window when reinjury, retaliation and mortality risk are highest and most modifiable by providing intensive case management, wraparound support and victim services.
- Detroit Peoples Community (The Peoples Action) will implement five evidence-informed CVI strategies: street outreach and violence interruption; intensive case management, trauma-informed healing services; workforce development fellowships; and CVI infrastructure enhancement. Services will focus primarily on Detroit ZIP codes 48219 and 48235.
Community violence, which includes homicide and nonfatal shootings, causes substantial harm and trauma to communities across Michigan, especially in racially segregated and historically disinvested neighborhoods. Community violence continues to be a significant and growing public health problem. People who live in communities experiencing violence are at a higher risk for developing chronic diseases and may have limited opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors, such as using recreational spaces and accessing healthy food outlets.
# # #