Project Design to Support Capstone

Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy

Capstone Deliverable 1: Problem Statement Example

Due: Friday, August 1 | 11:59 PM

Name: Shakitha Leavy

Project Title: Show Me the Money: Establishing a Community-Based Organization Incubator to

Strengthen Grassroots CVI Efforts

I. Description of the issue (150 words max)

A clear and concise summary of the issue you plan to address.

In Washington, D.C., grassroots Community Violence Intervention (CVI) organizations play

a vital role in enhancing safety in neighborhoods heavily affected by gun violence,

particularly in areas like Anacostia and Ward 8. The Metropolitan Police Department has

reported over 376 incidents of homicides and aggravated assaults involving firearms,

underscoring the urgent need for effective violence intervention strategies (Washington

Metropolitan Police Department, n.d.).

However, funding access remains a struggle for many CVI groups. A survey by D.C. Action

revealed that 75% of CVI organizations face challenges with grant applications due to

limited support (Moreno, 2025). This situation leads to mission drift and staff burnout,

with community organization employees experiencing this issue. Additionally, systemic

racism, as shown by the American Public Health Association, exacerbates violence in

marginalized communities. Addressing these barriers is critical for empowering grassroots

organizations and enhancing overall community safety.

II. What is Most Impact and How

Describe the people or groups most affected by the issue.

The individuals most affected by gun violence include community members, particularly

youth, families of victims, and those living in high-crime neighborhoods. These groups

experience not only the immediate physical dangers of gun violence but also long-term

psychological and emotional trauma. Additionally, community organizations that focus on

intervention and prevention are significantly impacted, as they struggle to secure the

financial support needed to carry out their vital work.

This issue is highly visible in Washington, D.C., especially among organizations funded by

the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). These groups serve

communities disproportionately affected by poverty, trauma, and gun violence. The most

impacted include:

• Grassroots CVI leaders with limited administrative infrastructure

• Frontline staff without access to adequate wellness or support systems

• High-risk communities who lose access to credible, culturally grounded services when

organizations are forced to downscale or dissolve

III. Why This Issue Matters Now

Explain the urgency and importance of addressing this problem.

Grassroots CVI organizations are often the first responders and trusted agents of change

in their communities. Their success or failure directly influences the legitimacy of public

health approaches to violence prevention. When they are under-resourced, entire

ecosystems suffer. This issue impacts funders, public safety systems, educational

institutions, and local businesses who all rely on strong community partnerships to

advance sustainable change. This is not only a funding issue. It is a systems issue with

broad implications for justice, healing, and long-term violence reduction. Amid shifting

political priorities and CVI budget cuts, grassroots organizations are more vulnerable than

ever. Many are facing potential funding lapses and unstable program continuity. If we do

not address these structural barriers, CVI efforts will remain fragile and reactive. There

will be greater workforce turnover, disconnecting between funders and practitioners, and

an erosion of trust in non-carceral public safety solutions. Investing in these organizations

now can lead to immediate benefits for public safety and long-term improvements in

community well-being.

IV. Consequences of Inaction

What could happen if this issue goes unaddressed?

If this issue remains unaddressed, community violence intervention efforts will continue

to operate in a reactive rather than preventative mode, limiting their effectiveness and

reach. Programs will struggle to retain experienced staff, which not only disrupts service

delivery but also weakens relationships with high-risk individuals who rely on consistent,

credible messengers. Without stable funding, organizations may be forced to scale back

or shut down entirely, leaving vulnerable communities without essential support at critical

moments. This instability contributes to a lack of trust in public safety alternatives and

undermines broader efforts to shift away from punitive systems toward community-based

solutions. Additionally, communities may experience increased violence, deeper trauma,

and prolonged cycles of crisis because of interrupted or inconsistent interventions. The

opportunity to make long-term, systemic changes will be lost if action is delayed.

V. Additional Context

What additional background, data or observations help explain the issue?

CVI programs have already demonstrated measurable success in reducing violence.

However, without long-term investment, their progress remains fragile. Sustained funding

is essential for strengthening the CVI workforce, building community trust, and

transforming public safety systems. Under the current presidential administration, the

Department of Justice canceled or rescinded more than $180 million in grants for CVI and

related programs — impacting CVI programs nationwide. These federal cuts have left local

organizations scrambling, forced layoffs and program suspensions, and exacerbated

uncertainty around the future of evidence-based violence prevention efforts (The

Washington Post, 2025).

Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy

Capstone Deliverable 1: Problem Statement Example

Due: Friday, August 1 | 11:59 PM

References

Moreno, J. S. (2025, 05 21). DOJ must restore life-saving grants to Community Violence

Intervention; Congress has a duty to act. Friends Committee on National Leglislation.

The Washington Post. (2025, 04 23). DOJ cancels grants for gun-violence and addiction

prevention, victim advocacy. Retrieved from The Washington Post:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/22/justice-department-

grants-canceled/

Washington Metropolitan Police Department. (n.d.). Crime Cards. Retrieved from Government

of the District of Columbia: https://crimecards.dc.gov/