Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement

09/23/2021

Entrepreneurship builds wealth, enables individuals to pursue their passions, and drives social change. That’s why every Pathways cohort spends time exploring entrepreneurship and learning the basics on starting, operating, and growing a business.

Over the course of several weeks, each Ambassador prepares a business plan, which they present to guest judges at a Business Pitch Competition. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receive cash prizes for seed funding.

Thank you to Program Facilitator @thedrmajeed and Cohort 7’s guest judges - @kimrford, @dcs_son, @bigwaxdc, @evolution_kings2, and @savingournext.

09/21/2021

Thank you, @cm_silverman, for joining Ambassadors from Cohort 7 of the Pathways Program for a conversation on equity and access to workforce development, entrepreneurship, employment, and affordable housing opportunities.

Transitional employment programs play a vital role in connecting residents who lack work experience or have multiple barriers to employment to career pathways, but their success is dependent on strong partnerships with employers.

Are you an employer interested in learning about hosting a Pathways Ambassador? Sign up at the link in our bio.

#PathwaysToPeace
#TransitionEmployment
#ViolencePrevention

09/17/2021

ONSE’s CBCR Program & @manpower_dc brought youth from Buena Vista Terrace to Urban Air Adventure Park in Laurel, Maryland.

We know our youth have the potential to defy gravity - not just on trampolines and climbing hills, but in their life aspirations!

What a blessing to spend this time with some of our youngest community members.

#DefyGravity
#YouthEngagement
#Prevention
#PathwaysToPeace

09/16/2021

Where would our communities be without our seniors? Their gifts are immeasurable — care and love for the community, experience, expertise, wisdom, and guidance for the younger generations.

Our CBCR team brought seniors from the Buena Vista Terrace community out on a day trip this week to say thank you and to close out a wonderful period of engagement.

Much appreciation to CBCR Program Manager Jackie, and Dodson and Rob, for pulling together this special outing.

09/16/2021

Thank you to those who organized last night’s gathering in the Kennedy Street area.

The impact of gun violence on survivors, families, and communities is profound, complex, and long-lasting. Taking time to gather, grieve, and lift each other up is important.

Our collective work to build communities free from violence urgently continues.

09/14/2021

Our Violence Intervention partner @traininggroundsinc, brought their summer event series, Rolling4Peace, to Lincoln Heights this weekend.

The weather was glorious and there was something for all members of the community - entertainment, art activities, horse riding, grocery giveaways, and community resources.

Thank you to all the community partners and residents for joining this beautiful event and thank you to the entire Training Grounds team for your tireless work and dedication to violence prevention and intervention.

#LiveInPeaceNotRestInPeace
#LIPNOTRIP
#Prevention
#PeaceIsPossible

09/10/2021

One of the best ways to foster mutual insight, establish common purpose, and forge shared frames of reference is to create space for dialogue.

Thank you City Administrator Kevin Donahue and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Chris Geldart and other special guests for inviting the Pathways Ambassadors to join you in authentic conversation this week.

We are united in the Pathways program’s common purpose of INVESTING IN PEOPLE.

#InvestInPeople
#PeaceIsPossible
#PathwaysToPeace

09/01/2021

🚴🏿‍♂️🚴🏾‍♀️
Special delivery of bicycles to the LeDroit community from our Community Response Team!

Nothing brings us more joy than bringing a smile to our young people.

#Prevention
#YouthEngagement
#PathwaysToPeace

08/27/2021

Did you know that ONSE launched its Restorative Justice program this year?

Every member of our new Restorative Justice (RJ) team completed an intensive 70-hour train-the-trainer course, earning five nationally-recognized Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) certificates.

Check our our RJ Program Manager, Joy, leading a restorative circle with Peace Ambassadors @dccorrections.

Did you know that ONSE launched its Restorative Justice program this year?

Every member of our new Restorative Justice (RJ) team completed an intensive 70-hour train-the-trainer course, earning five nationally-recognized Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) certificates.

Check our our RJ Program Manager, Joy, leading a restorative circle with Peace Ambassadors @dccorrections.

08/26/2021

ONSE Deputy Director Dana McDaniel and members of our Violence Intervention and Restorative Justice teams were honored to join yesterday’s joyful launch of the @dccorrections Peace Initiative.

We salute @thesmooth_1, who is a tireless advocate for returning citizens, for envisioning this incredible event, and @thesmooth_1, @dccorrections, @backyardband, and numerous other community leaders for making it happen.

We also want to thank @dccorrections Director Quincy Booth for enabling our Violence Intervention and Restorative Justice practitioners to access and work with individuals inside the DC Jail who, with empowerment and encouragement, have the potential to be POWERFUL PEACEMAKERS.

#PathwaysToPeace
#PeaceIsPossible

08/24/2021

ONSE Violence Intervention Case Managers joined the dynamic Thandoor Miller for a powerful training on youth development today.

ONSE views continuing education as an essential activity for high quality service delivery under its violence intervention contracts and across all of its programs. Training investments allow staff to acquire new knowledge, refine skills, and build community with other violence intervention and prevention professionals.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
- Frederick Douglass

08/24/2021

This weekend was full of sunshine and back-to-school community giveaway events.

Our outreach team supported events at Fort Stanton Recreation Center, Barry Farms, and Carver Terrace.

Shout-out to all the community organizations and DC agencies bringing information, PPE, food, school supplies, and entertainment to children and families.

#BackToSchool
#PeaceIsPossible
#PathwaysToPeace

08/03/2021

Today the ONSE office was visited by @thespicesuite. The Spice Suite is a Black Owned business in the District of Columbia that offers amazing spices from all over the world. They also serve as a community space focused on providing opportunities to small businesses. The owner of the Spice Suite, Angel is one of the co-founders of DC Native Day and leader in many community building spaces. Thank you for taking the time to converse with us around potential connections to our work.

Today the ONSE office was visited by @thespicesuite. The Spice Suite is a Black Owned business in the District of Columbia that offers amazing spices from all over the world. They also serve as a community space focused on providing opportunities to small businesses. The owner of the Spice Suite, Angel is one of the co-founders of DC Native Day and leader in many community building spaces. Thank you for taking the time to converse with us around potential connections to our work.

07/23/2021

To the peacemakers, mediators, and negotiators in our community - THANK YOU.

#StopGunViolence
#BeAPeacemaker
#PathwaysToPeace

07/14/2021

ONSE is excited to announce that the ONSE Leadership Academy (OLA) Team is growing! This coming school year, OLA will be expanding to two new schools - H.D. Woodson STEM High School in Ward 7 and the Paul Public Charter School in Ward 4 - as well as continuing to serve Anacostia High School in Ward 8.

The OLA team focuses on helping high school students improve their “ABCs” - Attendance, Behavior, Credits, and Safety. We believe that all students should have the opportunity thrive in school and in life, and we know that a sense of safety and trusted adults are critical to acheiving that success.

Today the team is in a planning session to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year, which begins on August 30th.

06/30/2021

Today the ONSE Pathways Program attended a Leadership Retreat designed to grow their skill sets pertaining to working with this unique population.

Mayor Bowser’s proposed FY22 budget presents ONSE with the opportunity to intensify and expand several of our programs, including the Pathways program.

This will mean:
✅ More at-risk young men receiving life-saving interventions
✅ More trauma survivors receiving culturally competent compassionate healing services, and
✅ More money in the pockets of individuals who lack stable employment and have families to support

#PathwaysToPeace
#StopGunViolence

06/30/2021

It was powerful having staff from all the agencies and organizations doing frontline violence prevention and intervention work come together for the 2nd #UnitySummitDC.

We are ALL unified in our mission of decreasing community gun violence in the District - none of us can do this work alone.

#PathwaysToPeace
#ItTakesAVillage
#StopGunViolence

06/16/2021

It was an honor to host Ambassador Susan Rice, Director of the United States Domestic Policy Council, and @mayor_bowser for a roundtable discussion on community violence intervention and prevention yesterday.

Thank you for creating space for violence interrupters, case managers, clinicians, and activists from @yaaymedc, @cwellnessv, @lifecampinc, @traininggroundsinc, @curethestreets, @cjactionfund, and @mrtonylewisjr to share their stories and aspirations for the expansion of this critical work nationwide.

#StopGunViolence
#InvestInPeace
#PathwaysToPeace

06/11/2021

This #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth, we wanted to introduce you to members of the ONSE team. So, meet Kecia Barnes!

Kecia manages our Violence Intervention Program, working closely with our contractors - Collaborative Solutions for Communities, Training Grounds, and Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative in Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Prior to joining the ONSE family, Kecia worked with the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’s Credible Messengers program on behalf of the East of the River Clergy, Police, Community Partnership.

✌️What’s your message of peace?

This #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth, we wanted to introduce you to members of the ONSE team. So, meet Kecia Barnes!

Kecia manages our Violence Intervention Program, working closely with our contractors - Collaborative Solutions for Communities, Training Grounds, and Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative in Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Prior to joining the ONSE family, Kecia worked with the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’s Credible Messengers program on behalf of the East of the River Clergy, Police, Community Partnership.

✌️What’s your message of peace?

06/11/2021

Yesterday, ONSE Director Del McFadden testified before the DC Council Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary during our annual Budget Oversight Hearing.

Here is an excerpt of Director McFadden's testimony -

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a very destabilizing impact on many already vulnerable communities in our city and across the country. This has had very significant consequences on public safety, especially when it comes to gun violence. Last year, we had the most lives taken due to violence in more than a decade. This level of violence is heartbreaking and it requires a whole-of-government response. Mayor Bowser’s proposed FY22 budget, which would grow our budget from $12.3M to $28M, recognizes the need for such a response and positions a number of District government agencies to play a more intentional role in violence prevention.

The Mayor's proposed FY22 budget presents ONSE with the opportunity to intensify and expand our work in important ways. These investments will mean:

✔️More at-risk young men receiving life-saving interventions;
✔️More trauma survivors receiving culturally competent compassionate healing services;
✔️More money in the pockets of residents who lack stable employment and have families to support;
✔️More up-river prevention services for children and families in crisis; and
✔️More frontline violence prevention staff serving communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence.

I firmly believe these investments will save lives."

Yesterday, ONSE Director Del McFadden testified before the DC Council Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary during our annual Budget Oversight Hearing.

Here is an excerpt of Director McFadden's testimony -

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a very destabilizing impact on many already vulnerable communities in our city and across the country. This has had very significant consequences on public safety, especially when it comes to gun violence. Last year, we had the most lives taken due to violence in more than a decade. This level of violence is heartbreaking and it requires a whole-of-government response. Mayor Bowser’s proposed FY22 budget, which would grow our budget from $12.3M to $28M, recognizes the need for such a response and positions a number of District government agencies to play a more intentional role in violence prevention.

The Mayor's proposed FY22 budget presents ONSE with the opportunity to intensify and expand our work in important ways. These investments will mean:

✔️More at-risk young men receiving life-saving interventions;
✔️More trauma survivors receiving culturally competent compassionate healing services;
✔️More money in the pockets of residents who lack stable employment and have families to support;
✔️More up-river prevention services for children and families in crisis; and
✔️More frontline violence prevention staff serving communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence.

I firmly believe these investments will save lives."

06/08/2021

LIVE: DMPED Weekly Check in “Fair Shot Budget Takeover"

Join to learn more about Mayor Bowser's proposed FY22 investments in public safety and justice, including historic investments in violence prevention.

06/07/2021

#SaferStrongerDC

LIVE: Mayor Bowser highlighting her $59 million investment in reducing gun violence and building safer neighborhoods.

06/03/2021

June is Gun Violence Awareness month. To honor this month, ONSE will be hosting its inaugural Gun Violence Prevention event at the King Greenleaf Recreation Center in Southwest DC. The event will feature family entertainment, healing activities, training, and food. ⠀
⠀
We are so thankful to all the supporters and advocates who are in this fight against gun violence with us. ⠀
⠀
Thank you to our event partners @traininggroundsinc, @dcdpr, @dcreengagement @does_dc, @momsdemand, @cjactionfund @cmcharlesallen, @mayor_bowser and Medstar Washington Hospital Center Community Violence Intervention Program.⠀
⠀
#PathwaysToPeace⠀
#PeaceIsPossible⠀
#SpeakYourPeace⠀
#GunViolenceAwareness

June is Gun Violence Awareness month. To honor this month, ONSE will be hosting its inaugural Gun Violence Prevention event at the King Greenleaf Recreation Center in Southwest DC. The event will feature family entertainment, healing activities, training, and food. ⠀
⠀
We are so thankful to all the supporters and advocates who are in this fight against gun violence with us. ⠀
⠀
Thank you to our event partners @traininggroundsinc, @dcdpr, @dcreengagement @does_dc, @momsdemand, @cjactionfund @cmcharlesallen, @mayor_bowser and Medstar Washington Hospital Center Community Violence Intervention Program.⠀
⠀
#PathwaysToPeace⠀
#PeaceIsPossible⠀
#SpeakYourPeace⠀
#GunViolenceAwareness