Resources
National Gun Violence Prevention Organizations
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
A national organization dedicated to gun violence prevention through promoting policy reform, industry oversight, and culture change.
Website: https://www.bradyunited.org/
Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown is the largest national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending gun violence and promoting gun safety through advocacy, research, and community engagement. They provide resources, support, and policy recommendations to help reduce gun violence and ensure safer communities.
Website: https://www.everytown.org/
Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence
A national organization dedicated to reducing gun violence and promoting gun safety through advocacy, education, research, political engagement, and support for victims
Website: https://giffords.org/
Sandy Hook Promise
A national nonprofit organization that educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Through our proven, evidence-informed Know the Signs programs and sensible, bipartisan school and gun safety legislation, we teach young people and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others.
Website: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
The coalition seeks to prevent gun violence through through policy development, advocacy, community engagement, and effective training.
Students Demand Action
A youth-led initiative that focuses on mobilizing students and young people to advocate for stronger gun safety laws and policies. They provide resources, training, and support to empower students to lead grassroots campaigns and drive change in their communities.
Website: https://studentsdemandaction.org/
March for Our Lives
A student-led organization that campaigns for stricter gun control laws and promotes youth engagement in advocating for gun safety reforms. They provide activism tools, organize events and rallies, and offer educational resources to empower young people in the fight against gun violence.
Website: https://marchforourlives.org/
Change the Ref
An organization dedicated to empowering and supporting survivors of gun violence to advocate for stronger gun control laws and policy changes. They provide advocacy training, resources, and platforms for survivors to share their stories and influence legislative action on gun safety.
Website: https://changetheref.org/
Violence Policy Center
A nonprofit research and advocacy organization focused on reducing gun violence through policy analysis and public education. They provide detailed research reports, data analysis, and advocacy strategies to inform and influence gun safety legislation and public opinion.
Website: https://vpc.org/
Purpose over Pain
An advocacy organization founded by several Chicago area parents who lost their children to gun violence. They provide positive development activities for children and youth, advocate for and promote safer communities, and strengthen families by providing crisis support to parents or guardians whose children have been victims of gun violence.
Website: https://purpose-over-pain.org/
Massachusetts State-wide Gun Violence Prevention Organizations
Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Provides comprehensive support services for families impacted by homicide, including grief counseling, crisis intervention, and assistance with funeral planning. They also offer programs focused on trauma recovery and advocacy for violence prevention.
Website: https://ldbpeaceinstitute.org/
Stop Handgun Violence
A Massachusetts-based organization that works to prevent firearm injuries and deaths through public awareness, education, policy advocacy, and law enforcement strategies.
Website: https://stophandgunviolence.org/
Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence
A coalition of organizations working to reduce gun violence through legislation, education, and community engagement.
Brockton Interfaith Community
An organization that includes gun violence prevention as part of its broader mission to promote social justice and community well-being.
Website: https://www.brocktoninterfaith.org/
The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Gun Violence Prevention
A multidisciplinary initiative at Massachusetts General Hospital dedicated to reducing injuries and deaths related to firearms and promoting safety in the home and in the community through clinical care and education, community engagement and research.
Website: https://www.massgeneral.org/gun-violence-prevention
The Darrell Lee Jenknis Jr Families of Homicide Resource Center
A Springfield-based organization that offer advocacy for those impacted by gun violence, and we work with other local organizations to build healthy communities
Website: https://www.dljrc.org/
Uncornered
An organization based in Boston, Providence, and Kansas City that provides educational resources, mental health support, spiritual support, and ultimately, work to change the trajectory of entire families, communities, and cities.
Website: https://uncornered.org/
The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation
Catalyzes trauma innovation for injured civilians and military heroes, through multidisciplinary investigative collaborations across the continuum of trauma care, from prevention to treatment and recovery.
Mothers for Justice and Equality
Aims to end neighborhood violence by empowering mothers and youth to challenge the normalization of violence through education and engagement. MJE’s trauma-informed services have supported the academic, workforce development, health, and wellness needs of those impacted by community violence, including single mothers, youth, and their families.
Grief/Counseling Services
Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Provides comprehensive support services for families impacted by homicide, including grief counseling, crisis intervention, and assistance with funeral planning. They also offer programs focused on trauma recovery and advocacy for violence prevention.
Website: https://ldbpeaceinstitute.org/
Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC)- Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs
Offers counseling and support services for individuals and families affected by violence, including trauma recovery and mental health services.
Boston Medical Center (BMC) - Violence Intervention Advocacy Program
Provides trauma-informed care, mental health services, and support for survivors of violence and their families.
Website: https://www.bmc.org/violence-intervention-advocacy-program
Boston Medical Center (BMC)- The Community Violence Response Team (CVRT)
Offers crisis intervention, psycho-education, ongoing counseling, therapeutic support, case management, advocacy, and referrals to community partners to children and adults of all ages. Survivors of violence and their families will be offered support while inpatient at the hospital as well as follow-up after discharge. Family survivors of homicide victims will be offered assistance with burial planning, ongoing support, and counseling.
Website: https://www.bmc.org/community-violence-response-team
Samaritans, Inc.
Offers grief support services, including group and individual counseling for those who have lost loved ones to suicide or violence.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery
Provides support services, including crisis intervention, counseling, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by violence.
Boston Medical Center (BMC) - Community Violence Response Team
Offers counseling and support services for victims of violence and their families, including assistance with coping and healing.
YouthConnect
An program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB) that provides violence prevention, intervention, advocacy and mental health services to young people who are involved in the criminal justice system and their families. Offers community-based counseling to address issues related to truancy, delinquency, safety, substance abuse, victimization, school performance and family functioning.
Website: https://www.bgcb.org/learn-more/what-we-do/our-programs/youthconnect/
ROCA
A nonprofit organization that works with young people, police, and systems to address urban violence and disrupt the cycle of incarceration and poverty. Roca's mission is to help young people transform their lives by building trust, providing tools and support, and teaching life-saving emotional skills.
Website: https://rocainc.org/
Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) - Violence Recovery Program
A dedicated team of advocates who provide supportive services to patients and their families admitted to BWH as a result of penetrating trauma (gunshot, stab wounds or serious assault). The program is a collaboration with the Division of Burn, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Department. All services are free, confidential and voluntary.
Website: https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/community-health-equity/violence-recovery-program
Boston Neighborhood Trauma Team
Trained professionals provide support to emotionally traumatized and concerned community members on a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year basis. Consultation is also available to partner organizations who support community members. Any resident or worker in Boston can call when they are exposed to trauma due to community violence.
Website: https://police.boston.gov/boston-neighborhood-trauma-team/
We Are Better Together Warren Daniel Hairston Project (WAB2G)
Connects and heals women and girls affected by homicide and incarceration to prevent the cycles of violence and victimization through youth programs, survivor support groups, caregiver support groups, reentry resources, bridge to clinical supports, and advocacy.
Website: https://wab2g.org/
DeeDee's Cry
Supports families impacted by suicide and provides resources on suicide prevention and loss and mental health education.
Website: https://deedeescry.org/
Boston Government Organizations
Boston Violence Reduction Initiative (BVRI)
A collaborative effort involving various city departments and community organizations aimed at reducing gun violence through intervention, enforcement, and prevention strategies.
Mayor’s Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management
Provides planning and preparedness resources for disasters, outbreaks, and other large-scale public health emergencies as well as volunteer opportunities.
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-preparedness-and-emergency-management
Office of Neighborhood Services
Works closely with residents to address safety concerns and improve neighborhood quality of life.
Website: https://www.boston.gov/departments/neighborhood-services
Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC)
To work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities.
Website: https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/boston-public-health-commission
Division of Violence and Injury Prevention (DVIP)
Implements programs and initiatives to prevent violence, support victims, and promote healthy communities.
Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF)
Enhance the quality of life of Boston's residents by partnering with various organizations to offer a wide range of comprehensive programs and activities according to neighborhood needs and interests
Website: https://www.boston.gov/departments/boston-centers-youth-and-families
Boston Community Centers' Streetworkers Program
Engages directly with at-risk youth and young adults to prevent violence and connect them with resources and opportunities.
Website: https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/pubs/gun_violence/profile58.html
My Brother's Keeper Boston
Aims to address opportunity gaps faced by young men of color and reduce violence through mentoring, education, and employment initiatives.
Website: https://www.boston.gov/equity-and-inclusion/my-brothers-keeper-boston