Guilford County Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) partners develop and design opportunities for community outreach and education to support awareness and community mobilization to prevent violence in Guilford County. This collective: 

• Fosters cross-sector collaboration between community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, faith-based communities, grassroots organizations, educational institutions, and individuals with lived experience to save lives and reduce trauma induced by exposure to violence. 
• Builds trust with community partners and the communities we serve. 
• Supports evidence-based initiatives and strategies to reduce community violence. 

For more information about VPI, contact Alexis Powell, MPH at apowell2@guilfordcountync.gov or 336-641-4102.

Guilford County Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI)’s approach to gun violence prevention included establishing new and diverse partnerships, supporting existing efforts, and forging innovative evidence-based strategies to reduce and prevent firearm violence. 

2024 efforts included:

• Fostering cross-sector collaboration via convened meetings, regular promotion of partner events and activities and participating in the planning and implementation of violence reduction activities.
• Creating a space to collectively share and analyze violence data, identify patterns and needs, and inform current and ongoing violence prevention activities.
• Identifying the priority areas of firearm violence to address including:
  • Suicide,
  • Homicide by addressing youth and adult community violence, and 
  • Intimate partner and family violence.
• Developing five workgroups to focus on the priority areas.
• Establishing the Guilford County Firearm Safety and Education Team to distribute safe storage tools and educational resources.