Editor's Note: This story is a part of our Voices of Youth Kalamazoo program. The program is a collaboration between Southwest Michigan Second Wave and KYD Network in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, funded by the Stryker Johnston Foundation and Michigan After School Partnership.

KALAMAZOO, MI — According to recent data from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety in 2024, there were 66 shot-fired incidents, a 55% decrease from the 147 incidents in 2023. Even though gun violence has decreased, there continue to be concerns about the impact that gun violence has on youth.

Abra Smith, Co-Executive Director of Kalamazoo Youth Development Network“The mental and emotional impacts of community gun violence can also lead to nihilism or hopelessness, ongoing grief, and substance abuse as unhealthy coping mechanisms,” says Abra Smith, Co-Executive Director of Kalamazoo Youth Development Network.

The Community Peace Project (formerly Blueprint for Peace) is a youth-driven initiative focused on teaching youth and adults the Community Resilency Model (CRM) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). CRM is a model that teaches skills to "re-set the natural balance of the nervous system," according to the CRM website. The core elements of CRM include skills that teach awareness, tracking, and presence to bring "bodies, minds, and spirits back into a state of balance," according to the website. CPP youth advisors meet after school to plan and organize efforts to share the strategies with their peers, especially those impacted by gun violence.

CISM teaches crisis intervention tactics to be used in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. These skills are used widely by first responders, firefighters, and public safety organizations throughout the United States.

Community Peace Project equips the youth and adults with tools to deal with stress and trauma while fostering a sense of identity, agency, and belonging. 

Rubontay "Rue" Buckner, Urban Zone Executive Director“We work hard to build authentic connections and engagements right from the beginning and intentionally utilize practices to create an atmosphere of physical and emotional safety, inclusion, community building, and trust,” Smith says.

Rubontay "Rue" Buckner, Urban Zone Executive Director, highlighted that the youth are at the forefront of this fight against gun violence in Kalamazoo. “The universe will never give them peace in something they were never meant to settle in. They are sick and tired of being hurt by gun violence (whether directly or indirectly), which is why our youth leaders show up and make sure we’re fighting together against the same pain.” 


Ripple effects of the Community Resilience Model

Jacquis Robertson, Community Engagement Coordinator of Kalamazoo Youth Development NetworkThe Community Peace Project promises to greatly impact Kalamazoo, especially when traumatic incidents occur. “If one person is able to take these skills and utilize them in their everyday life, or utilize them when a traumatic event occurs, then it's a win,” says Jacquis Robertson, Community Engagement Coordinator of Kalamazoo Youth Development Network. "If the participants take what they have learned and bring it to other youth, their parents, and other people, it will become a ripple effect and a step in the right direction." 

Rubontay adds, “This initiative isn't about just one person. It's about the community. The actions of just one person can have a profound impact on the many. The Blueprint for Peace IS that person.”

Genesis Griffin, the Youth Leadership Coordinator & Youth Mobility Mentor of KYDNetThere were not many unique challenges in getting this program into action, including typical nonprofit challenges like funding, finding a location to hold the convenings, and finding committed people to participate, “We addressed this by holding multiple information sessions and spreading the word to our community in an effort to scout committed participants.” says Genesis Griffin, the Youth Leadership Coordinator & Youth Mobility Mentor of KYDNet.  


Impacts have already been positive.

The Community Peace project has received much positive feedback from the youth and community. Participants have already been using the techniques they've learned in their lives. Amya Jackson, Vice President at Synergy’s Urban Zone Youth Advisory Council (UYAC highlights how she was able to use what she learned to help her youth campers after an incident, “ CISM and CRM has made me more aware of how I can help others who may be in distress or going through a hard time and simply want to know that they have someone by their side, who they can go to if needed.” said Jackson.

Yvlie Jn Baptiste, President of Synergy’s Urban Zone Youth Advisory Council
Yvlie Jn Baptiste, President of Synergy’s Urban Zone Youth Advisory Council (UYAC), also participated because she wanted to be a part of improving her community. She highlighted that the training impacted her personally, “It taught me how to control my emotions on a deeper level. Griffin explains how this initiative's impact goes further than the participants. 

"The community will feel it as well," says Griffin. “We have designed a cohort that meets when incidents of trauma occur in Kalamazoo County." 

The vision for Kalamazoo after the success of the program is a community that knows how to self-regulate, not only when traumatic experiences happen, but in their daily lives. Although this program has had an impact already it does not end here. Youth who have participated so far expressed how they think this should only be the start of youth-driven initiatives and programs. 

Amya Jackson, Vice President at Synergy’s Urban Zone Youth Advisory Council“I hope to see the youth participants from the CRM and CISM training take more leading roles in the community. I also hope I will be able to help temporarily soothe those who need a good distraction from the struggles of the real world,” says Jackson. "Community Leaders also agreed to call the community to act now “ 

Griffin adds, "We need ongoing support and willingness to engage in trauma-informed practices from our community members so that we can give each other the support we need in trying times."


Regina Kibezi is a Senior at Loy Norrix High School. She is also a member of the Community Peace Project youth advisory council.