Must‑read report from the UMD Violence Reduction Center on the role of social media in CVI. One key insight: “Social media is not separate from community life. It shapes relationships, conflict and opportunity.” vrc.umd.edu/sites/vrc.um...

Annoyed, content, powerful, isolated- our Pathways2Peace students are identifying their feelings Through simple but meaningful exercises like this, we are equipping and empowering our Junior Peacemakers with the skills they need to navigate challenges and lead with confidence.

For everyone grieving someone they love, we see you. Your story matters. Your healing matters. Peace work is slow work, the kind that unfolds in small choices, repeated over time. Remember: you don’t have to carry it alone. You are held by a community that cares.

#DidYouKnow? The U.S. saw major drops in murder in 2023, 2024, and 2025 — one of the sharpest multi‑year declines on record. These gains reflect work that started years earlier, as cities expanded community‑based outreach, healing supports, and violence intervention beginning in 2021–2022.

This month we also want to spotlight DC Peace Academy Cohort 6 graduate, Martin Bond, a District resident that uses art as prevention and intervention! If you would like to support Martin's next event, check out the flyer and reach out to Martin directly at [email protected]

Our website has a fresh new look! See what’s new and stay connected at www.peacefordc.org/

Alumni Spotlight + Women's History Month This month we honor Ms. Kimberley Pinkney, a DC Peace Academy cohort 4 graduate who has been recently promoted to ONSE Program Coordinator at the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. Kimberley is truly a pillar to ALL communities across DC!

Women’s History Month is a tribute to the women who lead with power and compassion. This March honor the CVI workers, leaders, peacebuilders, healers, counselors, educators, survivors, organizers, and all the women whose resilience inspires our work and strengthens our city every day.

Our 2025 Year-End Impact Report is live! www.peacefordc.org/2025-year-en... Thank you for standing with us.❤️☮️

Help us extend a warm welcome to Nia Walton- Peace For DC's new Data Systems & Analytics Lead! Nia is a data scientist and analyst dedicated to using data to strengthen community wellbeing and expand opportunity for young people and families in Washington, DC. Learn more: www.peacefordc.org/about-us

MUST SEE: sharing a recording of a recent event hosted by The Trace: "Gun Homicides Have Plummeted. What Comes Next?" Watch here: www.thetrace.org/event/gun-ho...

Today’s event is sold out! Thanks to everyone who RSVP’d. We will follow up and share out after the event. In the meantime, you can watch the recording from last week’s virtual fireside chat with Chicago CRED founder Arne Duncan! ➡️ www.youtube.com/live/WmO-DGP...

Urgent and moving piece by co-founder of More Than Our Crime, Pam Bailey: "The real question is not whether he should be held accountable, but what kind of person we want him to come back as." See the full story: 51st.news/opinion-shoo...

This is going to be a conversation you don’t want to miss. After our screening of Pieces of the Puzzle, we’re bringing together an incredible panel of CVI leaders and practitioners who live this work every day. Reserve your spot → bit.ly/peacedcfilm

It’s happening! Pathways2Peace cognitive behavioral intervention classes in DCPS have started and we could not be more elated. Thanks to all who have donated to support this work. givebutter.com/pathways2pea...

Join us this Thursday for a lunchtime webinar between our Executive Director, Chandra Dawson, LISW, LCSW, and Arne Duncan (Managing Partner- Emerson Collective, Founder- Chicago CRED, Former US Sec. of Educ.) to dig into the biggest questions in public safety. RSVP: bit.ly/p4dcfireside

Pathways2Peace is growing across DC high schools! Together with our incredible partners at Pathways2Power, we’re equipping young people with real conflict mediation skills and building a powerful cohort of Peace Ambassadors in Ward 8. Donate today: givebutter.com/pathways2pea...

Less than 2 weeks away! Join us on February 18 for a screening of the powerful documentary, Pieces of the Puzzle, followed by a panel discussion. Register today: www.eventbrite.com/e/pieces-of-...

Re‑sharing because it’s critical. CVI workers are essential to public safety in DC — preventing violence and keeping people alive every day. Our 2025 Alumni Survey Report + Video shows what it takes to sustain this life‑saving workforce. www.peacefordc.org/2025-alumni-...

As Black History Month begins, we honor the generations of Black leaders, thinkers, artists, and organizers whose courage has shaped this nation- and whose legacy continues to guide our path forward. Black history is American history. Black futures are all of our futures.

Great to see this research moving the field forward: www.linkedin.com/posts/fund-f... Peace For DC is excited to dig deeply into our own data this year, and we look forward to building the foundation for future research on the impact of our programs.

Join us on Feb 18 for Pieces of the Puzzle, a powerful documentary highlighting the impact of CVI, followed by a panel discussion. Come witness what real community safety looks like and be part of the conversation. Reserve your spot today: www.eventbrite.com/e/pieces-of-...

🗞️Must read piece in The Atlantic: “America experiences a once-in-a-lifetime improvement in public safety despite a police-staffing crisis.” ➡️ www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

At HEAL DC, we show up through every moment — late‑night crises, tough choices, and the small wins that change everything. With care, coaching, and CBT tools, we help folks pause, breathe, and choose their future. Back this work: givebutter.com/fuelpeace

Check out this powerful op-ed from Arne Duncan, Founder of Chicago CRED: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/10/o... Want to hear directly from Arne? Join our virtual fireside chat. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Witness community leadership in motion. Cohort 10’s keynote, Qiana Johnson, speaks truth about the power of violence interruption, and Star Student Jawan Johnson shows what healing looks like in real time. 🎥 youtu.be/o9_bCd3vWWk

Wow, real progress is happening in Washington Highlands, where our #HEALDC work is centered. These trends are powerful indicators of what’s possible when intensive, wrap‑around support is focused on those at highest risk.

Today we honor Dr. King’s vision of a just and peaceful world. His commitment to nonviolence guides our work to strengthen community safety, uplift local leadership, and build a city where everyone feels valued. Let’s turn reflection into action for a safer, more equitable DC. #MLKDay2026

At Peace For DC, this is exactly why we invest in training, connection, and community‑rooted leadership. Explore the full #DCPeaceAcademy 2025 Alumni Survey Report + Video: www.peacefordc.org/2025-alumni-...

Join us for a special virtual fireside chat between Arne Duncan and Chandra Dawson, where they will dig into what’s working in community violence intervention, lessons from Chicago CRED, and what’s possible for DC. Bring your lunch and tune in! Register here: bit.ly/p4dcfireside

#Peacemakers in action. Our #DCPeaceAcademy Alumni are leading change in their communities, and we’re proud to uplift their voices in our new Alumni Video. 🎥 youtu.be/jbOtdklBZ1c 📘 2025 Alumni Survey Report: www.peacefordc.org/2025-alumni-...

The 2025 Alumni Survey Report + Video is live! It shows the impact of CVI workers and what the field needs to thrive. Deep thanks to our alumni + Alumni Research Partners. www.peacefordc.org/2025-alumni-...

💐 Celebrating Nakeda Gilbert, our phenomenal #DCPeaceAcademy Program Manager, as we hit TEN cohorts. She’s led 9 of them with heart, consistency, and deep love for our community- and students and alumni adore her. 🎥 youtu.be/93MiUo8R-3Q

#ThrowbackThursday to #DCPeaceAcademy Cohort 10 Graduation last month. Celebrating the power of community, courage, and growth. DC Peace Academy’s Cohort 10 showed what it looks like when dedication meets purpose, and the impact is undeniable! youtu.be/T8IcCUBTDZg

Despite the tumult in 2025, DC saw a meaningful decline in homicides. While this article highlights enforcement and the federal takeover wapo.st/4snYOI8, it’s essential to recognize the powerful, sustained work happening at the community level- prevention, intervention, healing, and transformation.

🎉 Hello 2026. We promise to keep the peace… and maybe our resolutions for at least a week. #HappyNewYear #Peace4DC #2026

⏳ Last day of 2025. Last chance to give. Your support strengthens #Peace4DC and helps build safer, more connected communities. Donate here: givebutter.com/p4dc #EndOfYearGiving #CommunityHealing

Ending 2025 with pure joy. Our staff, participants, and partners remind us that peace is built through connection, laughter, and community. ❤️ ☮️

⏳ The countdown is on… just 3 days left in 2025. As we close out the year, we’re celebrating every act of peace, every moment of healing, and every spark of radical joy that carried us forward. ✨ Let’s step into 2026 with defiant hope and stronger community. givebutter.com/p4dc

🎓✨ Throwback to #DCPeaceAcademy’s very first graduation in 2022! From day one, we’ve been building leaders for peace and justice in the DMV. 💜✊🏾 ▶️ Watch the milestone moment: youtu.be/YmDxn7VDvWY

🎄✨🕎🌺 Candles to kinara, evergreens to shared tables- from all of us at Peace For DC: Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays to people of all faiths and backgrounds. May this season bring joy, connection, and peace across our city.

🌟 Last month, the ACLU of DC released a powerful new report highlighting expanded youth programming as a cornerstone for building a safer, stronger city. Let’s do it all, and then some! ✨ Read more ➡️ www.acludc.org/publications...

What are your hopes and dreams for the new year? Hear from Tonie, Peace For DC's HEAL DC Case Manager, for her hopes for our organization for the new year! Be a Champion For Peace. Support our work today: givebutter.com/p4dc

Thank you, M Street Youth Advisory Council, for inviting Peace for DC to attend your youth showcase this week. We loved seeing the students again and watching their Showcase!

📣Please share this important resource for victims and survivors. This Guide offers clear, practical information to help people navigate the justice system and access support. Sharing it widely ensures more individuals know their rights and the help available: www.courtexcellence.org/victimsguide

🎓 Congratulations Cohort 10! Huge thx: ✨ Keynote Speaker Qiana Johnson 🏛️ THEARC for the space 🍴 Oohs and Aahs for the food 🎥 Magik Compound for capturing the moment ❤️ And of course, our incredible students, instructors, community partners, and funders. we couldn’t do this without you!

💜 DC needs connection, healing, and hope. And together we’re building it. Every life saved, every moment of healing is defiant hope. Every Peacemaker trained, every youth empowered is radical joy. ✨ Support Peace For DC and help us grow safer, stronger communities: givebutter.com/p4dc

Gunfire impacts nearly every school in D.C. Students most affected also face systemic failures—few after‑school programs, unsafe play spaces, limited fresh food. Trauma drives lower achievement and fewer opportunities. It’s time to break the cycle. www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...

✨We are honored to announce Qiana “Ocha Weye” Johnson as the keynote speaker for DC Peace Academy Cohort 10 Graduation! Qiana is the founder of Life After Release Inc., Co-Conductor of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, and a nationally recognized trainer and advocate. 📅 RSVP now: bit.ly/dcpa-c10

This report may not be new, but what is newsworthy: the Mayor has not implemented a Strategic Plan for Gun Violence Reduction. That’s despite DC paying for a plan to be developed, and despite overwhelming public support. All eyes will be on what the next Mayor does. hitstrat.com/wp-content/u...