One Step Further - Gate City Coalition II: The Gate City Coalition Program (GCC2) employs a Cure Violence-like health model, viewing violence as a learned behavior that can be prevented through disease control strategies. GCC2 enhances the livability and safety of high-risk neighborhoods in Guilford County by implementing violence prevention activities and fostering community cohesion through youth mentoring and sustainability initiatives.  

GCC2 implements a three-prong approach to violence prevention by:

• Detecting and interrupting transmission of violent acts,  
• Providing ongoing behavior change and support to those at highest risk, and   
• Mobilizing the community to change norms that allow, encourage, and exacerbate violence in chronically violent neighborhoods to healthy norms that reject the use of violence.   

GCC2 focuses on neighborhoods in the Merritt Drive/Overland Heights Drive area and the Hickory Trails and Hampton Homes public housing communities.  

The Guilford County Division of Public Health collaborates with the Gate City Coalition CURE Violence Program to implement violence prevention activities in priority areas with an identified need. Key services include violence interruption and support services through community outreach activities and community conversations. 

Data collection for 2024 is underway.