Cure Violence (formerly Chicago Cease Fire)

Cure Violence (formerly Chicago Cease Fire) is a violence prevention program that uses a public health approach to reducing gun violence and killings. The program concentrates its highly trained outreach workers, public education campaigns, and community mobilization to change the behavior and risky activities of high-risk community members. Faith leaders, prosecutors and law enforcement are also engaged in efforts to change the wider community norms regarding violence. The program's specially trained violence interrupters recruit clients from the streets and work with them to mediate conflict in positive, non-violent ways. The program provides on-the-spot counseling and intervention when individuals and gang members are making behavior decisions. A primary program aim is to increase perceived risks and costs associated with violence among high-risk young people.