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Brotherhood Circle

A Healing Circle Model for Intergenerational Men Involved in Gun Violence.

Gun violence continues to devastate communities, often leaving young men isolated and disconnected from support systems that can guide them toward positive change. A major gap exists in opportunities for interventionists to connect meaningfully with men who are currently or have previously been involved in gun violence. For many, there is a lack of safe spaces where they can freely express their experiences and connect with peers who have walked a similar path and successfully shifted their lives away from violence.

The Brotherhood Circle is designed as a supportive healing circle, providing a consistent and safe environment for men of all ages impacted by gun violence. Here, participants are encouraged to connect, share, and receive mentorship from others with lived experience who understand their challenges and offer perspectives on transformation. This unique approach fosters trust, builds community, and opens the door for men to receive the emotional support and resources they need to pursue positive, long-term change.

Action

The Brotherhood Circle conducts bi-weekly gatherings in neighborhood-based settings, led by a clinician who brings both professional expertise and personal, lived experience in navigating the impact of gun violence. By meeting in familiar community environments, participants feel more comfortable and secure, making it easier to build trust and create meaningful bonds.

The sessions focus on:

  • Connecting Justice-Involved Youth: Bringing together young men who have been directly affected by gun violence, whether as victims, offenders, or both, and fostering a supportive brotherhood among them.
  • Providing Referrals to Services: Offering direct referrals to mental health support, job training, education, and other services that can assist participants in building stability and resilience.
  • Facilitating Expression and Healing: Creating an outlet for men to openly share their struggles, fears, and hopes, helping them find their voice and recognize their potential to break the cycle of violence.

Each session is designed to be therapeutic, reflective, and action-oriented, allowing participants to share insights and encourage each other toward a more peaceful, productive life.

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brotherhood circle Impact

Brotherhood Circle aims to create measurable change in both individual lives and the community as a whole. Preliminary data shows that intervention programs providing mentorship, peer support, and a sense of belonging can decrease violence involvement among participants by up to 30%.

Additionally, men who participate in healing circles are 20% more likely to engage in positive community activities and job training programs within the first six months of attendance.

With consistent participation, Brotherhood Circle intends to track the following metrics:

Through these key indicators, Brotherhood Circle will demonstrate how a simple, consistent space for connection and healing can serve as a powerful catalyst for change, creating a ripple effect that touches individuals, families, and the broader community.

METRIC #1

Decrease in Recidivism Rates: Reducing repeat involvement in gun-related incidents among program participants.

METRIC #2

Increased Engagement in Community Resources: Number of participants accessing mental health services, job training, and educational programs.

METRIC #3

Improvement in Emotional Well-Being: Self-reported increases in emotional resilience, sense of belonging, and reductions in anger and isolation among participants.