Connect4Peace 

Connect4Peace is a community-based and hospital-based violence intervention program.

Connect4Peace interrupts cycles of violence by deploying trained violence intervention specialists who are community residents with lived experience, known as credible messengers. The team mediates conflicts, de-escalates retaliation, and guides high-risk individuals toward life-changing resources. The hospital-based violence intervention staff work in tandem with the community-based team to prevent retaliation and future violence after someone is hospitalized. 

The trained violence intervention team identifies and works with the highest risk individuals, those likely to shoot or be shot, in an effort to make them less likely to commit violence. Violence intervention specialists walk by their side and help them understand the cost of violence and connect them with social services in an effort to better their lives. Outreach workers redirect high risk individuals to positive pursuits, including jobs, job training, and returning to school. Hospital responders provide support in the aftermath of violence and connect individuals with immediate services to reduce retaliation violence and promote peaceful solutions.

Connect4Peace is a trusted touchpoint for healing, empowerment, and transformation. Participants are supported not only through mediation and mentorship, but also through intensive care coordination that connects them to housing, education, mental health care, and workforce development. The program also builds community resilience through public education, trauma response training, and mobilization of resident-led peace and response teams. 

Through monthly events, like peace rallies and community activities, all neighborhood residents can get involved in promoting the message of peace.

Contact

For more information, contact our Access Center at 1.877.922.2377 or access@centerffs.org

Funders

NJ Office of Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, and the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the Philadelphia 76ers. The hospital-based program is funded by the State of NJ in partnership with Cooper University Hospital.
 

Trauma Informed Framework

Connect4Peace operates based on a hope-centered, trauma-informed framework and promotes healing, stability, and long-term community safety. From a trauma-informed lens, Camden is rich in culture, connection and resilience. The new program name, Connect4Peace, reflects this narrative and is grounded in a strength-based approach and the shared vision for peace.