Part 3: The People Behind the Peace: Investing in the CVI Workforce (something that represents the work)
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) doesn’t just work because of what it is—it works because of who does it. Whether these individuals act from within community-based organizations or local government institutions.
At the heart of CVI are people who bring more than just training and tools. They bring lived experience. They bring credibility. They bring an unwavering commitment to walking with those at the highest risk of gun violence—not as enforcers, but as mentors, guides, protectors, and healers.
These are neighborhood change agents, violence interrupters, outreach workers, and transformational mentors who operate behind the scenes, deep in the trenches, and on the front lines. They are often the first to hear about a brewing conflict, the first to intervene in the face of danger, and the only ones trusted enough to de-escalate without force.
Yet despite their outsized impact, the CVI workforce is one of the most undervalued and under protected segments of the public safety ecosystem. It’s time that changed.
The Frontline Workers of Peace
CVI workers operate in high-stakes, high-stress environments. Their work isn’t measured in arrests or citations, but in lives saved, shootings prevented, and cycles of harm interrupted.
- They engage those no one else can reach.
- They interrupt deadly conflicts.
- They mediate violent tension.
- They manage conflicts that are always simmering.
- They respond to traumatic events.
- They help people envision—and pursue—a different future.
- They curate new enlightening experiences and create safe spaces for those at the center of gun violence to simply breathe.
- They tell the truth about the ills of gun violence.
And they do it with limited support, modest pay, and few of the protections granted to other public safety personnel. These individuals are not simply workers. They are essential. They are the infrastructure of sustained community peace. They are professionals.
Credibility You Can’t Manufacture
What sets CVI professionals apart is their credibility. Many have been directly impacted by violence—survivors, formerly incarcerated individuals, or those who have left gang or street life behind. They must have both feet out of the game. They’ve turned their lives around. Each serve as a map, an elite example of what the transformation process looks like and the how behind it. This gives them an insight that no textbook or tactical training can replicate.
They have a presence, and it sends a message: “I understand. I’ve been there. I’ve changed and can serve as a credible and legitimate map for your change journey. And I’m here to help and to walk this journey out with you.”
This credibility allows them to:
- De-escalate situations where police presence might escalate them
- Build authentic, protective, and trust-based relationships with individuals at the highest risk
- Help communities heal from collective trauma
But credibility should not come at the expense of care. CVI workers deserve the same support and safety net afforded to any other public safety professional.
What the CVI Workforce Needs
If we’re serious about sustaining CVI, then we must invest in its workforce. That means committing to:
- Living/Competitive Full-Time Wages and Benefits
CVI workers should not have to sacrifice their well-being to serve their communities. Cities must ensure these roles are compensated in line with their impact—with access to healthcare, mental health services, paid time off, and retirement plans. In Richmond, I have experienced how doing this has had a positive and transformative [generational] financial impact on the families of this workforce. - Career Pathways and Certification
Like teachers, EMTs, and social workers, CVI professionals deserve clear professional standards, certification opportunities, and pathways to advancement. This is not “gig” work—it’s a career. - Ongoing Training and Development
In addition to their lived experience, CVI professionals need continued training in conflict mediation, trauma-informed care, crisis response, data documentation, and self-care. A strong workforce is one that never stops learning. - Institutional Respect and Protection
CVI workers often operate in volatile environments with little formal protection. Cities must establish safety protocols and recognize CVI as an official public safety role—not just a contract service, but an integral part of municipal strategy. - Healing-Centered Supervision
Managers and supervisors in CVI must be equipped not just to oversee operations, but to nurture people. This work is emotionally heavy. Supervision must include space for reflection, accountability, and care.
Why This Investment Matters
Every time a CVI worker walks into a conflict where imminent gunplay is likely, they are putting their life on the line for peace. Every time they convince someone to put down a gun or step away from retaliation, they are saving lives—often with no public recognition or applause. Active firearm offenders live and play in the shadows of society, this is where CVI work is done. CVI workers are shepherds; to be effective, they must smell like the sheep that they are caregivers to.
This isn’t just hard work. It’s heart work.
When we invest in this workforce, we invest in the stability of families, the resilience of neighborhoods, and the very possibility of safety without harm. We honor the truth that those most impacted by violence are often those most equipped to end it. At a minimum, CVI workers make retaliatory gunfire rare and less recuring.
The Path Forward
Cities and states that want CVI to last must treat its workforce as a public good. That means moving beyond short-term contracts and fragmented funding. It means recognizing that true public safety isn’t just enforced—it’s nurtured. Don’t misunderstand, CVI is not a get out of jail [free] card. The point is most suspected firearm offenders are rarely held accountable for their suspected acts of violence through incarceration (firearm clearance rates are often less than 50 percent within impacted communities). CVI reduces gun violence where increased enforcement efforts can be more of a costly distraction than an effective deterrence.
In the next post, we’ll take a closer look at what CVI returns to the cities that support it—how investing in peace pays off, in both lives saved, and dollars spent.