INTEGRITY & FIDELITIY NFP
At I&F, we are on the front lines of community violence intervention. Every day, our Street Outreach Specialists walk the streets of neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence. As credible messengers, they build trust, mediate conflict, and help prevent shootings before they happen.
We are committed to disrupting the cycle of violence and mass incarceration that has devastated communities for generations—especially young people caught in systems that were never designed to protect or serve them. Instead of punishment, we offer pathways. Instead of silence, we offer connection. We meet people in moments of crisis and work to connect them with the tools, relationships, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
We believe safety doesn’t come from policing or incarceration—it comes from community. It comes from healing, from opportunity, and from people choosing peace when they’re equipped and supported to do so. That’s the work we do every day.
Our outreach work is grounded in lived experience. Many of our team members have personally endured the same trauma and systemic neglect they now work to interrupt. Their presence in the neighborhoods they once called home is powerful—and essential. It’s what gives them the credibility to intervene in high-stakes situations and de-escalate moments that could otherwise turn deadly.
Through training in violence interruption, trauma-informed care, and community-based conflict resolution, our team works daily to reduce harm and save lives. We don’t just react to violence—we prevent it. And through every conversation, every mediation, every safe moment we help create, we move closer to the kind of communities we all deserve.
At I&F, we proactively monitor street-level conflicts through multiple channels—including social media, community networks, and word of mouth—to identify tensions that may be escalating toward gun violence. By staying closely connected to the pulse of the community, we’re able to step in before tragedy strikes.
When we identify a credible threat, our Street Outreach Team acts quickly. We engage directly with the people involved—often visiting their homes, neighborhoods, or neutral spaces—to de-escalate tensions and offer real alternatives to violence. Our outreach workers serve as trusted intermediaries, helping people resolve disputes through conversation, connection, and support rather than retaliation.
Conflict mediation is only one part of the work. We also invest in long-term prevention by building relationships with young people and guiding them toward healthier ways of thinking, responding, and relating. This includes teaching conflict resolution skills and connecting youth to positive outlets—such as community events, leadership opportunities, and healing-centered programming.
We know that interrupting violence isn’t just about stopping a single shooting—it’s about shifting culture. At I&F, we’re committed to challenging the norms that make violence seem inevitable. Changing mindsets, especially among youth, is essential to building safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.
Our Street Outreach team is the cornerstone of everything we do. Our Street Outreach Specialists are a dedicated group of people who bravely engage directly with high-risk individuals in their communities. They take on the challenging and often dangerous work of intervening in real-life street disputes—working to de-escalate conflicts before they escalate into gun violence.
Serving as trusted intermediaries, they step into situations with a high potential for serious harm or loss of life, offering alternative paths and peace-centered solutions. Their presence on the streets is essential to preventing violence and building safer communities from the ground up.
While our primary focus is preventing gun violence before it occurs, we are deeply committed to caring for victims, survivors, and all those impacted by violence after harm has been done. Our victim service advocates provide critical support, offering comfort, access to compensation, and pathways toward healing during some of the most difficult times.
Support begins immediately after an incident and continues until the physical, emotional, and practical needs of victims are fully addressed. Our advocates collaborate closely with healthcare professionals to ensure survivors receive trauma-informed mental health care, while also connecting them to community resources that support their overall recovery and long-term well-being.
1. Needs Assessment
We begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment to understand each person’s unique situation, strengths, and challenges.
2. Comprehensive Planning
Based on the assessment, we develop a personalized care plan that addresses immediate needs and long-term goals.
3. Curate Wrap-Around Care Plans
We coordinate a full spectrum of services—healthcare, mental health, housing, education, and more—to support every aspect of a person’s well-being.
4. Facilitate Approaches to Care
Our team ensures that all care is client-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive.
5. Coordinate Services
We actively manage and connect the various providers and resources involved to ensure seamless support.
6. Maintain Client Records
Accurate and confidential documentation helps us track progress and adjust care as needed.
7. Review Discharge Plans
As clients reach milestones, we prepare for transitions that sustain their success beyond our services.
8. Prepare Reports and Analyze Outcomes
We collect and analyze data to evaluate treatment effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.