The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services awarded $1.5 million to five community organizations to support violence intervention programs in areas experiencing high rates of firearm violence. The two-year grants, each totaling $300,000, run from September 1, 2026, through September 30, 2028.
The funded organizations will implement community violence intervention services targeting groups with the highest likelihood of involvement in firearm violence in five counties. Present Pillars in Benton Harbor will focus on reducing nonfatal shootings and homicides in the 49022 ZIP code by identifying people and places at highest risk and building a coordinated response. Crim Fitness Foundation in Flint will partner with the Greater Flint Community Safety Collaborative to integrate violence interruption, credible messenger development, conflict mediation, and trauma-informed support.
The HELP (Healing, Engagement, Love and Presence) Community Violence Intervention Program in Saginaw will implement strategies to interrupt cycles of firearm violence and prevent retaliation among youth and young adults. Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday will use a hospital-based model to provide intensive case management and victim services during the post-injury window when reinjury and mortality risk are highest. Detroit Peoples Community will implement street outreach, violence interruption, intensive case management, trauma-informed healing, and workforce development fellowships, focusing on Detroit ZIP codes 48219 and 48235.
According to the department, community violence, including homicide and nonfatal shootings, causes substantial harm and trauma to communities across Michigan, particularly in racially segregated and historically disinvested neighborhoods. People living in areas experiencing violence face higher risk for chronic diseases and limited access to healthy behaviors and recreational spaces.