Office of Violence Prevention

Our strategy focuses on a holistic, community-centered approach that tackles the root causes of violence through collaboration and prevention. By partnering with various sectors—law enforcement, mental health services, and trusted community leaders—to establish a unified support system. The Office of Violence Prevention aims to build trust and create a safer, more resilient environment for all Harford residents by emphasizing healing and maintaining transparent communication with the community.

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Meet The Team

Chavon Campbell

Director of The Office of Violence Prevention

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Auralee Jumpp

Assistant to The Office of Violence Prevention

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Lacoy Brown

Communications Associate

Programs

Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP)

The collaborative will strengthen coordination between hospital violence prevention specialists and community partners to identify and support victims early, both in emergency and long term care. Hospitals will enhance trauma-informed care training for staff and build stronger internal partnerships, while community agencies like COMPASS and Mothers United Against Violence will provide ongoing case management. An expert will track progress through evaluation metrics, and continuous training will be offered to ensure consistent violence prevention efforts across hospitals and community organizations.

Reentry Welcome Center (RWC)

The Hartford Reentry Welcome Center (RWC) currently facilitates a smooth transition directly from prison back to the community for people who are released within 90 days and at the end of their sentences (EOS), meaning no community supervision (e.g. probation or parole). The city invested in the expansion of the Reentry Welcome Center. This expansion helps the relocations of a larger facility that allows CPA (Community Partners in Action) to provide centralized hub and an increase of services and supports to Hartford residents who are returning to the community from incarceration. The funds allocated support staffing, operational expenses and administration costs.

Neighborhood Ambassador Program (NAP)

The program creates transitional jobs for men and women in re-entry and provide on-the-job experience through a multitude of beautification, maintenance and other services to small minority owned businesses throughout the neighborhood commercial corridors. These are 6-month part-time jobs, 5 days a week, 25 hours per week. The crew size is around 12 with 3 working supervisors.

Community-Based Violence Intervention Prevention Initiative (CVIPI)

This program overall goal is to expand our community violence intervention approach, to support additional multidisciplinary, data-informed violence intervention strategies focused on individuals at the very highest risk for immediate involvement in gun violence.

Initiatives

Midnight Basketball: “Midnight Basketball” is a community initiative designed to keep youth engaged and off the streets by offering a safe, structured environment to play basketball every Friday night. Running from November 1st through December 20th the program provided two sessions: Youth 18 and under enjoy a game from 7:30PM-9:30PM, while youth 19 and older played from 9:45PM-11:45PM. This initiative not only promotes physical activity but also created a positive space for social interaction and community building.

Night Gyms: This is a partnership between the Office of Violence Prevention & Hartford Public Schools, providing Hartford Youth with a safe, productive and healthy alternative to spending time on the streets. This six-week program runs from July to August, Monday through Friday, from 4 PM to 8 PM, offering a secure space for recreational activities, mentorship, and personal development. This initiative opens four different gyms across the city, giving young people access to various nighttime recreational activities. The participating locations include:

Achievement First

Hartford Public High School

Weaver High School

Sports and Medical Sciences Academy

By offering structured sports, fitness training, and life skills workshops, Night Gyms foster a sense of community, teamwork, and growth. Through collaboration with local organizations, coaches, and mentors, this initiative ensures that Hartford’s youth have access to the resources and support needed to make positive choices and build brighter futures.

CVI Job Openings

OPENINGS AT COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ACTION:

Case Managers – support individuals on their path to success

Case Manager, Pathways Home CT: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/a40bb8ea9ac2

Case Manager, Alternative in the Community: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/223e95fb30b1

Reginal Case Manager: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/3229fed3ecc5

Program Managers – Lead initiatives that create real impact

Program Manager: Reentry Welcome Center: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/f92ec2d04430

Youth Mentors – Inspire and guide the next generation

Senior Mentor: 3rd Shift, REGIONS-Site Secure Residential Treatment Program for Male Youth: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/10adc417cc30

Youth Mentor – 3rd Shift, REGIONS Staff Secure Residential Treatment Program for Male Youth: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/0c6754d114e9

Youth Mentor – 1st Shift, REGIONS Staff Secure Residential Treatment Program for Male Youth: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/c5cff154a8b9

Youth Mentor – 2nd Shift, REGIONS Staff Secure Residential Treatment Program for Male Youth: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/a28498b8cf3d

Youth Mentor – REGIONS Site Secure Residential Treatment for Male Youth: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/03f049df083d

Facilities Manager – Help keep our spaces welcoming and functional

Facilities Manager, Administration: https://community-partners-in-action.breezy.hr/p/985bc96261bf

Community Listening Sessions

Community Listening Sessions: Community Listening Sessions are led by the City of Hartford’s Office of Violence Prevention, and is designed to engage directly with Hartford’s residents, providing a platform for open dialogue about community safety, concerns, and solutions. These sessions bring city officials, community leaders, and residents together to discuss the impact of violence in their neighborhoods and explore ways to create safer, stronger communities. By going into different neighborhoods across Hartford, these sessions ensure that community voices are heard and valued. Residents have the opportunity to share their experiences, challenges and ideas while also learning about available resources and ongoing violence prevention efforts. The goal of the Community Listening Sessions is to build trust, strengthen relationships, and develop collaborative strategies that address the root cause of violence. Through these conversations, the Office of Violence Prevention aims to create community-driven solutions that foster long-term change and a safer Hartford for all.

Resource Guide

The Office of Violence Prevention is developing a comprehensive resource guide for Hartford residents. This guide will compile every available service and program in Hartford – especially those designed to support victims- addressing a critical gap in accessible community information. It will be available as both a physical copy and a mobile-friendly version, ensuring that residents can easily access vital information anytime, anywhere. In addition, the guide will feature an interactive dashboard and a GIS map, allowing users to quickly locate and navigate to the resources they need. This multifaceted approach is designed to empower residents with all the tools necessary to access support services and enhance community safety.