Cure Violence applies an evidence-based strategy that uses data and evaluated methodology to interrupt violence on the ground. Cure Violence’s methodology includes resourcing community members to work with people who are at the most risk for perpetrating violence. Interrupters are community members and trusted messengers who use their credibility and relationships to mediate conflict and stop violence before it happens. Interrupters work in their neighborhoods, talking to people on the street, during the times that violence is known to happen. Outreach specialists maintain a caseload of persons they support in receiving services and resources to prevent future violence. This program in Charlotte has been named Alternatives to Violence. It is funded by the city and the county and is being launched in July 2021 in the Beatties Ford Road-LaSalle Street corridor.

Areas of the city and individuals that are most likely to be affected by violence, as identified by data.

Violence interruption stops violence before it happens and prevents future violence. Per the CDC, experiencing violence has a profound impact on lifelong health, opportunity, and well-being. Individuals exposed to violence are often at higher risk of developing physical and mental health conditions, experiencing other forms of violence, and experiencing educational or job challenges. Preventing violence can prevent these significant consequences which jeopardize the health and well-being of families and communities and cost society hundreds of billions of dollars in medical care and lost productivity. 

Mecklenburg County partners Atrium, Novant, City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Public Health, YAP, and the Urban League implemented and expanded community violence interruption and hospital-based violence intervention initiatives. The Alternatives to Violence (ATV) program was expanded to three sites across the county. Hospital-based violence intervention initiative were delivered at each local health system (Atrium, Novant).