he Minneapolis City Council has approved a key partnership with Cure Violence Global and five new contracts with local community organizations aimed at reducing violence in some of the city's most at-risk neighborhoods. Together, these contracts will ensure the continuation of the MinneapolUS violence interruption program, an essential part of Minneapolis’ community safety strategy.
“The MinneapolUS violence interrupter program is a critical part of our violence prevention efforts and our community safety ecosystem,” said Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette. “Guided by national, proven best practice, we look forward to delivering this service where it's needed most. I'm proud of the work the Neighborhood Safety Department has done to get us here.”
The MinneapolUS Strategic Outreach Initiative is based on the idea that violence spreads like a disease. The program employs trained Violence Interrupters, local community members who spot signs of potential violence and step in to peacefully resolve conflicts before they escalate. By using mediation and non-violent conflict resolution, the interrupters help reduce violence in the neighborhoods they serve.
The five groups selected for MinneapolUS and the areas they will be serving are as follows:
- Restoration, Inc., North Minneapolis
- T.O.U.C.H. Outreach, South Minneapolis
- Sabathini Community Center, South Minneapolis
- MADDADS of Minneapolis, South Minneapolis
- A Mother’s Love Initiative, North Minneapolis
Cure Violence Global is one the of the pioneers of this approach, which has transformed how we understand and address violence in urban settings. Since 2008, the model has proven adaptable and demonstrated significant success across the United States and internationally, as well as here in Minneapolis. The City’s contract with Cure Violence Global will assist NSD with the implementation of the Cure Violence model. This means in part that they will advise NSD staff and vendors on violence prevention programming, comprehensive training and staff development framework, robust data collection and the evaluation systems that are part of the MinneapolUS program.
Cure Violence Global’s support will ensure that our selected vendors reach the highest standards of service delivery and have a meaningful impact in the City. This partnership, which started when the Neighborhood Safety Department (NSD) and was previously part of the Health Department, will extend through June 2026. The contracts with the five community organizations will last one year, with the option for renewals.
For more information about the MinneapolUS program and Cure Violence Global, see the attached Neighborhood Safety staff presentation or visit the Neighborhood Safety Department page on the website.