Community Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative
Daughters of Zion was awarded a $20,000 Community Violence Intervention & Prevention Grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Memphis, funded through the Kresge Foundation, to expand and strengthen its Shelby Safe community-based violence prevention ecosystem in Memphis.
Outcomes vs Requirements
| Metric | Requirement | Actual | % Exceeded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Residents Engaged | 8–10 | 1,116+ | 1,000%+ |
| CBO Partnerships | 3–5 | 8 | +60% (max) |
| High-Risk Individuals Served | 10–20 | 36 | +260% (min) |
| Government Agencies | 3–5 | 5 | +66.7% (min) |
| Street Outreach Interventions | 15–20 | 49 | +227% (min) |
| Communications Products | 1–2 | 7 | +600% (min) |
Purpose of the Grant
The purpose of the LISC–Kresge investment was to support community-led, prevention-first strategies that address the root causes of violence—unemployment, substance use, trauma, lack of opportunity, and disconnection from institutions—through education, outreach, workforce pathways, and trusted partnerships.
The Community Story
In a city long shaped by violence statistics, Daughters of Zion set out to change what the numbers meant—and who they represented. What followed was not simply grant compliance, but a demonstration of what becomes possible when trust, urgency, and infrastructure align.
Between November and December 2025, Daughters of Zion implemented a two-month, multi-track intervention model rooted in relational outreach, workforce access, faith-based engagement, and institutional collaboration. By December 26, the initiative had exceeded every required benchmark—often by several hundred percent—while centering dignity, accountability, and opportunity.
“We weren’t calling to lecture people. We were calling to listen—to invite, and to connect people to real pathways. When people feel seen, they show up.”
— Monique Wade, Project Coordinator, Daughters of Zion
Youth Theater Feature
A centerpiece of the initiative was a youth-led theatrical production, “Can Scrooge Save Christmas?”, presented by the Daughters of Zion Community Peace Theater. At-risk youth recruited and trained through the LISC grant performed a powerful narrative illustrating how neglect, selfish role models, and the absence of moral guidance can ripple into crime—and how accountability and restoration can rewrite the ending.
“It opened my eyes. You can see the difference between kids who are involved in faith-based activities and kids who aren’t.”
— Lauren Studen, Youth Performer
Holiday Peace Festival Recap
The initiative culminated on December 19, 2025, with the Community-Wide Shelby Safe Holiday Peace Festival at the Event Center of Memphis (Jesus People Church Campus). The event brought together residents, youth, government officials, workforce partners, recovery specialists, and faith leaders in one shared space focused on prevention, opportunity, and safety.