A Message From the Desk of Fatimah Loren Dreier
The Trump Administration’s Cuts to Community Violence Intervention Initiatives
April 30, 2025
To our beloved HAVI network:
For the thousands of us dedicated to hospital-based violence intervention (HVIP) work, there are often moments that stand out for their magnitude and impact on the communities we serve. Last week was one of those times—with organization after organization receiving grant termination notices from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). While we knew this was a possibility, the scope of the DOJ cuts for community violence intervention programs have put more than $150 million in federal grants at stake. This cruel and shortsighted move has impacted over 65 organizations and threatens public safety efforts in almost 50 cities across the country. Let’s be clear: this decision was not based on sound policy. We know this decision will have repercussions across communities large and small, rural and urban, in blue and red districts alike.
These grant terminations will destabilize the public health approach that we have spent years and millions of dollars building. Hospital-based violence intervention programs are not stand-alone efforts—they’re part of a broader ecosystem that includes community organizations, health departments, law enforcement, credible messengers, and survivors working together to break cycles of violence.
Our work today matters more than ever before. To our partners in this effort, take a moment to grieve, to feel, to express yourselves. Then join the efforts to fight back and hold the administration accountable for their actions. This work can and will continue. We can do it together.
While the path ahead is uncertain and filled with challenges, we must continue to provide life-saving support to our communities for as long as we can. The work we do is essential. It’s a big part of the reason why the U.S. has seen dramatic decreases in violent crime over the last few years. Where policymakers have invested, the strategies are working. Multiple cities, including New York City, Newark, and Indianapolis, have seen roughly 30 to 50 percent reductions in violence because of an expansion of CVI strategies.
In the days and weeks ahead, we will tell the story of what these cuts will mean from the Bronx to Bakersfield, bringing the true impact to life for the public. As many of you know, the HAVI has joined a number of organizations to support the Protect CVI campaign. Here’s how you can take action:
Day of Action Participation: On May 7, join the national CVI Day of Action to make your voice heard and call for sustained investment in community safety.
Organizational Sign-On: Add your name to upcoming sign-on letters to show collective support for continued CVI funding.
Social Media Amplification: Help elevate the impact of CVI by sharing stories, data, and messages across your platforms.
We can and will elevate our collective voice and advocate for the CVI strategies we know save lives and change life courses. And we will get through this together.
In strength and solidarity,
Fatimah Loren Dreier