Nurture came into existence in 2021 to fulfill the need to decrease the norms of at-risk behaviors and model positive influential messaging. We offer in-the-field, tailored intervention and preventative services to youth and young adults at the highest risk for gun-related violence. Nurture is an organization of Violence Interrupters, De-Escalators, Outreach Workers, and Influencers who assist program participants in increasing motivation and initiating behavior change. Nurture teaches youth and young adults how at-risk and wellness behaviors are connected and influence each other.

Through our work with the City of Portland and the 2022 Safe Summer PDX initiative:

• We connected with 28 of 40 active individuals who were most highly at risk for gun-related violence

• We completed 11 mediations, four of which brought an immediate resolution to the conflicting parties, two were considered successful because the two conflicting groups known for gun-related violence had not exchanged violence towards one another throughout the remains of program services and the contract period

• We referred five participants struggling with housing to Central City Concern to receive culturally specific programming to assist them in SUDs treatment and stabilized housing assistance

• Nurture also assisted five program participants in finding liveable wage employment and six others in enrollment with the Employment Access Center in downtown Portland.

NURTURE stands committed to the development and success of youth and adults highest at risk for gun-related violence providing the highest quality services in mentoring, street outreach, and wraparound services.