Creating Safer Futures—One Connection at a Time
The Youth Violence Reduction Initiative (YVRI) is a collaborative effort led by VOICES, in partnership with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR), the Office of Public Health & Safety (OPHS), the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), and other dedicated community partners. Together, we work to reduce youth-involved gun violence in Indianapolis by reaching those most at risk and surrounding them with consistent care, opportunity, and community.
Through YVRI, we identify and intensively engage a small group of youth under 18 who are at very high risk of engaging in or experiencing gun violence. Our goal is simple but powerful: to save lives, build hope, and support long-term well-being.
Each participant is connected with a team of trusted adults who provide wraparound support for both the youth and their families. Services include:
- Therapy and wellness support to address trauma and promote healing
- Education assistance and credit recovery to re-engage youth in learning
- Job readiness training and paid work experiences to build career pathways
- Mentoring and life coaching to strengthen positive identity and decision-making
- Family engagement and support to build stability at home
YVRI partners work side by side—sharing data, resources, and relationships—to ensure every young person has what they need to grow, thrive, and stay safe.
Participation Criteria:
- Youth under 13
- Reside in Marion County (Indianapolis area)
- Identified as high-risk for involvement in or exposure to gun violence (through probation, schools, law enforcement, or community referral)
- Willingness to engage in supportive services and goal planning