"There are always ways to make a difference even when it's not planned. Just listen to Dr. Sarah Scarbrough's incredible journey in reducing gun violence in Central Virginia."

[Why This Is Important] - The main message is "Become a person worth listening to so you can make a positive impact on your community." Regarding the story of Dr. Sarah Scarbrough's gun violence reduction initiative, the episode message is to illustrate the power of targeted intervention and community partnerships in reducing gun violence.

[What you need to know.] - Dr. Sarah Scarbrough and her organization, Real Life, implemented a targeted intervention program called Group Violence Intervention (GVI) in response to a sharp increase in violence in the east end of Richmond and Hopewell, Virginia. By identifying individuals most at risk to shoot or be shot and providing opportunities for change, they have seen significant reductions in violence.

[What you need to do.] - Support and engage with local efforts to reduce gun violence through targeted interventions and community partnerships. Educate yourself about the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences on individuals at risk for gun violence, and advocate for comprehensive support services and resources to address these needs.

[TAKE ACTION] Do this now - Reach out to local organizations or law enforcement agencies to learn about any targeted violence intervention programs in your area and find ways to support or get involved.

Gayle Turner is President of The Storytellers Channel, Inc. https://storytellerschannel.com/ For close to five decades he has used the power of story to initiate and sustain change while growing leaders and building productive corporate and community cultures. Check out his LinkedIn profile to learn the rest of the story. https://www.linkedin.com/in/wgayleturner/ 

Shelli Jost Brady is Founder & Catalyst at Alchemy Consulting and Chief Operating Officer at The Storytellers Channel, Inc.

Check out her LinkedIn profile to learn the rest of the story. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelli-jost-brady-94b44835/

Dr. Sarah Scarbrough, the visionary behind REAL LIFE, serves as its founder and director. The inception of REAL LIFE emerged from her initiative within the Richmond City Justice Center (jai), where she keenly observed the persistent challenges faced by individuals transitioning from incarceration. Driven by a commitment to address these obstacles comprehensively, she envisioned a multifaceted approach to support those in adverse situations.

REAL LIFE, being a nonprofit organization, relies on the generosity of community members through donations and the invaluable contributions of volunteers. If you share an interest in supporting their mission, or if you'd like to explore specific ways to get involved, please visit their website for more information.

Today, REAL LIFE extends its impact through various avenues, including a Community Center, 11 recovery houses, jail programs, an expectant mother program, and Project SAF—an intervention program tackling gun violence, aiming to provide crucial support to some of our community's most at-risk men and women.

Download a FREE checklist of how to craft intentional stories to inspire results. https://storytellerschannel.com/inspire

Keywords

Gun violence initiative, rehabilitation, violence reduction, group violence intervention, GVI, National Network For Safe Communities, grant funding, Hopewell, Richmond, city council, crime reduction, problem analysis, life coaching, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, community support, trust, violence prevention, community engagement, social services, police department, economic performance, public safety, strategic planning, intervention program, Richmond City Jail, criminal justice, violent offenders, community center, real life, Dr Sarah Scarbrough, Shelli Jost Brady, Gayle Turner.