Dear Friends,

The last year has been a tapestry of transitions. For myself, it has been a heartwarming homecoming to Youth ALIVE!, where I carry the torch passed on by my remarkable predecessor, Anne Marks.

Our dedicated team, which is the heartbeat of our organization, has been adapting to a renewed sense of togetherness as we find our rhythm working together inperson more and more each day. Our community members, partners in the field, and invaluable supporters have demonstrated unwavering commitment, especially as we faced an unsettling rise in violence within Oakland. But let me assure you that transitions, while challenging, can be the very crucibles in which growth and progress are forged.

Over the past year, our heart and soul have been embedded in every thread of the prevention, intervention, and healing programs here at Youth ALIVE!. We have sown seeds of hope that we eagerly cultivate with love. In the coming year, as we embark on an in-depth strategic planning process, we are filled with hope and determination to create a vision for a healthy and safe Oakland. We firmly believe that the pieces are in place to make this a reality.

Through open houses and other upcoming engagement opportunities, we invite you to learn more about our diverse programmatic approaches, how they work together as a

Program Overview

Founded in 1991, today Youth ALIVE! is Oakland’s anchor agency for community violence intervention, prevention, healing and advocacy. Our programs are designed to enter the lives of those affected by violence at multiple stages of exposure:

1) Teens on Target (TNT), our youth leadership and violence prevention peer education program;

2) Caught in the Crossfire, our hospital-based violence intervention program, the nation’s first, meets victims immediately after a violent assault to discourage retaliation and provide support on their path away from trauma and back to school, work, and the community;

3) Pathways assists youth emerging from comprehensive model, and why Youth ALIVE! is regarded nationally as a model of community violence intervention.

It is your steadfast support and belief in our cause that propels us forward. Together, we have the power to embrace these next transitions as avenues for transformative change, building a community where peace and safety are a shared triumph.

With deep appreciation and resolve,

Joseph Griffin, DrPH

Juvenile Hall or at-risk for academic failure with intensive case management, life mapping and mentoring; 4) Khadafy Washington Project, named for the murdered son of its founder, brings emotional, practical and financial support to devastated families of homicide victims in the immediate aftermath of a killing;

5) Violence Interruption, a team of problem solvers with experience in the streets of Oakland, mediates conflicts between gangs or individuals, defusing tense situations before the guns come out;

6) Counseling Services provides therapists trained in treating trauma; 7) Advocacy for Change works with TNT youth leaders and clients from all of our programs to create and support strong public safety and equity policy at all levels of government.