THE BLUEPRINT EXECUTION PLAN

The Progressive Access Zone which is based on The Blueprint Execution Plan created in September of 2021 to address the Gun Violence Epidemic and systems set in place to destabilize the urban community. ( PAZ ) is a comprehensive, bilingual/bicultural initiative designed to address and reduce violence within the North Philadelphia community. The program will aim to prevent various forms of violence, including physical, verbal, and psychological aggression, by targeting the root causes and risk factors associated with violent behavior.

​

High levels of both crime and incarceration remain key problems that plague already economically disadvantaged urban communities, especially in Philadelphia. We have seen that youth and young adults interventions focused on decision-making in institutional settings, such as schools or detention centers, can decrease overall crime and violence in the short-run. However, by design education-based programs miss youth, or young adults, who are disconnecting from school and may be at higher risk for violence involvement. Our comprehensive approach ‘PAZ’ doesn’t wait until youth are detained to engage them. The critical question becomes: how can we intervene outside of institutional settings to effectively target and engage adolescents at risk of becoming involved in violence and provide them with the comprehensive supports and skills they need to succeed in the long-run?

To support this, the social determinants of health that fosters gang and social violence to occur need to be understood and addressed. These are the social norms, structures and practices, deeply embedded in community attitudes and behaviors, which reinforce inequality, stereotypes and roles, power and relationships.

‘PAZ’ will establish a whole - of - community primary prevention framework across all areas where people live, work and play. We will achieve this by expanding the capacity for primary prevention, linking and partnering with related strategic initiatives and service delivery across the system.

 

PROGRAM GOALS

1. Awareness and Education: The program aims to raise public awareness about the causes and consequences of violence, fostering a greater understanding of its impact on individuals, families, and communities. It involves public campaigns, workshops, community forums, and educational programs to promote a deeper understanding of violence and its consequences.

 

1. Prevention and Early Intervention: The program strives to prevent violence by identifying risk factors and implementing proactive strategies. This includes targeting root causes such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, and social disconnection that contribute to violence. Prevention efforts may include mentoring programs, after-school activities, and life skills training aimed at promoting positive behavior and building resilience among individuals at risk.

 

1. Education: The program focuses on educating individuals, particularly young people, about nonviolent conflict resolution, empathy, and healthy relationship dynamics. By providing knowledge and skills, the program aims to empower individuals to make positive choices and resolve conflicts peacefully.

 

1. Intervention: The program aims to intervene in situations where violence has occurred or is likely to occur. This can involve providing support services, counseling, mediation, or legal assistance to victims and perpetrators. The goal is to break the cycle of violence and offer alternatives to harmful behaviors through the following:

 

1. Counseling and Support Services: Providing referrals to trauma informed counseling and support services for individuals, and their families, who have experienced or witnessed violence is crucial. These services may include individual or group therapy, trauma-informed care, and support groups to help survivors heal and cope with the emotional and psychological effects of violence.

2. Conflict Resolution and Mediation: Conflict resolution techniques and mediation skills will be taught to individuals to help them manage disputes and disagreements peacefully. ‘PAZ’ program will focus on teaching effective communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, aiming to reduce the likelihood of conflicts escalating into violence.

 

1. Collaboration and Partnerships: ‘PAZ’ recognizes the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including community organizations, law enforcement, schools, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, and social services. By fostering partnerships, the program can leverage resources and expertise to create a comprehensive and coordinated approach to violence prevention. By fostering partnerships, these programs can leverage resources, share expertise, and create a coordinated response to violence.

 

1. Advocacy and Policy Changes: ‘PAZ’ will advocate for policy changes at the community, regional, or national level to address systemic issues that contribute to violence. This may involve working with policymakers, community leaders, and organizations to implement and enforce laws and regulations that promote safety and reduce violence. The program may engage in policy advocacy to influence legislation and policies that address violence. This can involve supporting initiatives for stricter gun control, funding for social programs, improved victim support services, and the implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies.

 

1. Evaluation and research: ‘PAZ’ seek to continuously evaluate its effectiveness and impact through data collection and analysis. This includes monitoring trends in violence, measuring program outcomes, and conducting research to identify best practices and innovative approaches to violence prevention.

 

PROGRAM MISSION

 The mission of an anti-violence program is to promote a safe and peaceful community by actively addressing and preventing violence through education, intervention, support, and advocacy.

Reduce retaliation, re-injury and criminal involvement among youth by violence and promote positive alternatives to violence.

Reduce risk factors and increase protective factors for violence.

  

 

OBJECTIVES

1.        Any participant who does not already have a High School Diploma or GED should be enrolled in an educational program leading to a High School Diploma or GED.

2.        Any participant who does have a High School Diploma or GED should be encouraged to enroll in college to improve employability.

3.        Link all participants identifying employment as a need with a job training program (ex: Job Corps, Conservation Corps/Civic Corps, Youth Employment Partnership, AmeriCorps, certification program for a vocational trade).

4.        Assist all participants identifying employment as a need with job seeking & job readiness (ex: resume writing, job application completion, interview preparation).

5.        Link all participants and families with mental health support (ex: counseling for PTSD, anger management, general mental health, substance abuse, faith-based counseling).

6.        Ensure that participants are linked with medical providers to provide follow-up treatment of violent injury and ongoing health care.

7.        Improve social and professional skills & build sustainable support network

8.        Link all participants with at least one community, school-based or faith-based ongoing social group activity (ex: Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, sports, art, music, etc.).

9.        Link all participants with long-term mentoring to sustain progress after graduation from ‘PAZ’.

 

MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Furthermore, ‘PAZ’ will create a high visibility media platform to promote the coalition of united organizations and their services to provide alternative solutions to Gun Violence, Mental Disorder and Substance Abuse, primarily engaging the age demographic between 15 to 35 directly. To resolve & prevent situations from escalating with various conflict resolution and counseling techniques.

 

The objective of ‘PAZ’ Media Campaign are the following:

• To create a centralized advertising campaign that informs the general public of all the services offered by the Gun Violence Coalition. The campaign will consist of Billboard, Radio, TV & Social Media advertising

• The campaign will promote positive messages to help de-program individuals from all the negative visual images and hypnotic musical frequencies.

 

ACTION PLAN

‘PAZ’ is divided into 3 categories: Awareness, Prevention and Solutions. It seeks individuals who are looking to improve their life mentally, physically, educationally, and occupationally.

‘PAZ’ will use the following strategies to help prevent violence:

• Crisis Intervention Mobile Van

• Philly Truce App

• Gun Safety Training

• Counseling

• De-escalation Services

‘PAZ’ will use the following strategies to help provide alternative solutions:

• Job Placement

• Mentorship Program

• Health & Nutrition Education

• Recreational Sports Activities

• Trade Skill Education

• Preparation For College Placement

• Relocation Boarding Camp

Philly Hip Hop & Poet Cypher