Public Health Model for Violence Prevention

Conducts sustained advocacy campaigns to influence public policy and reduce gun violence, including drafting and supporting passage of landmark laws such as the nation's first gun accountability law (2021), New York’s Red Flag Law (2019), mandatory firearm removal in domestic violence cases (2020), and universal background checks with bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines (2013). Also advocated for the establishment of a permanent New York State Office of Gun Violence Prevention (2025).

Organizes petition drives, facilitates constituent communication with lawmakers, and publishes a newsletter to inform supporters about opportunities to advance gun safety in New York.

Provides trauma-informed support services to victims of gun violence to address emotional and psychological impacts and prevent cycles of retaliatory violence.

Operates ReACTION, a yearlong in-school program, and the Miller Mentorship, a paid summer internship, to educate youth on root causes of gun violence including trauma, racism, and structural inequity. The organization conducts over 750 youth workshops annually, reaches programming in more than 18 New York City schools, and has reached 10,000 NYC students over the past decade.

Distributed over 1,200 purple lightbulbs across Dutchess County during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 2021 as part of the Purple Light Project and participated in over 20 community outreach events in 2024, including block parties, Pride Month events, National Night Out, health fairs, and professional conferences.

Provides treatment and re-entry services to male and female inmates at high risk for re-offending at Dutchess County Jail through clinician-led interventions under the RESTART program.

Conducted Lethality Assessment Program training for law enforcement agencies and provided over a dozen training courses in 2024 to community members and professionals, including staff from law enforcement, probation, and local hospitals.

Ran the Youth Witness to Violence Program, which received 84 referrals in 2021 and uses evidence-based approaches to serve youth exposed to domestic and community violence.

Offers individual and group therapy services through licensed therapists using person-centered and evidence-based approaches across 8 locations in Dutchess and Ulster Counties, including telehealth delivery via Zoom based on clinical assessment.

Coordinated holiday adoption for 81 families, including 138 children, in partnership with Arlington Professional Fire Fighters Local 2393 in 2020.

Reported data on 560 domestic violence incidents in Poughkeepsie in 2019, of which 465 were cases of intimate partner violence.

Provided direct services to over 17,000 children, adults, and families in Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange counties, with over 70,000 individuals accessing services or participating in activities at the Family Partnership Center campus.

In 2024, provided support to 2,410 victims of crime, including 276 victims of sexual violence and 1,971 victims of domestic violence; responded to over 5,600 calls on 24-hour hotlines; assisted 10 families in staying safe in their homes and helped 11 clients and their children relocate to safe housing.

Advocates for unified peace-keeping efforts among Communities of Men Stopping the Violence (CMS) and partner organizations through press conferences and public statements, including events held at New York City Hall.

Organizes an annual week-long Peace Week in New York City featuring multiple events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including community gatherings, wellness activations, and public engagements. Hosted Peace Week NYC in 2023 as a flagship event.

Operates a daily violence intervention program in Southeast Queens using Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialists to mediate conflicts, de-escalate gun violence, mentor youth, and prevent entry into the school-to-prison pipeline. The program has achieved 562 consecutive days without shootings and reduced violence by 80% in its catchment area, with over 10,000 youth and families impacted since inception.

Distributes fresh organic produce to over 150 families in food-insecure environments through a partnership with Queens Botanical Garden, addressing social determinants of health.

Hosted a week-long immersive training for 31 senior and executive leaders from 21 cities focused on addressing gun violence through community wellness and public safety strategies.