Brownsville in Violence Out

Brownsville In Violence Out (BIVO) is the name of our anti-gun violence initiative serving the 73rd police precinct of Brownsville Brooklyn and is a part of The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Crisis Management System. BIVO follows the evidenced based public health Cure Violence model. This national program model seeks to identify violently injured youth at risk for retaliatory gun violence. The  BIVO  model works with these young people, their families, friends and local community to help prevent future gun violence in Brownsville, Brooklyn. BIVO provides participants who are between the ages of 16 and 25 with a variety of supportive services, including job training programs and access to employment, legal ​and therapeutic services, as well as school conflict mediation.

BIVO’s work in Brownsville is homegrown as the majority of employees are Brownsville Natives. BIVO seeks to combat gun violence, change unhealthy community norms, amplify the personal stories of change and positive transformation through our community education campaign.

The program includes Violence Interrupters who are known as Credible Messengers. They are individuals who have themselves been involved in and/or exposed to gun violence in their lives and now want to be a part of the solution. They have credibility Brownsville because they are from Brownsville. Violence Interrupters represent the heart of our street outreach work and go directly into the community to reduce potential conflicts and to interrupt violence through active, on-the-spot conflict mediation.

CAMBA recently expanded BIVO’s critical storytelling campaign. In addition to BIVO participants telling their stories about gun violence, we have engaged parents, other family members, community members and our staff in telling their own stories about gun violence and its impact on their lives. This campaign raises awareness of gun violence in the Brownsville community while empowering local residents to act as anti-gun violence ambassadors of the positive change they want to see in their community.

If you would like more information on the BIVO program, please call us at 718-226-0433. The BIVO program is located at 1667 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. Funding is provided by the New York City Council and New York City Task Force to Combat Gun Violence.

Eligibility: Residents of North Central Brownsville, between the ages of 16 and 25, involved with or at risk of becoming involved with gun violence
Clients Served Annually: 750
Referrals Accepted: Yes

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