Published: May 27, 2025 at 10:51 PM CDT
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A new community-based initiative in Baton Rouge is aiming to reduce crime by reaching young people through shared experience, mentorship, and open dialogue.
The nonprofit group, Pivot 4 Peace, is made up of community leaders, some who are former offenders, who are now working to stop violence before it starts.
The group will host two public forums titled “Make It Make Sense” on May 29 and June 5. Both events will take place at the Silly Rabbit, located on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Chad Buchanan, a member of Pivot 4 Peace, was incarcerated in juvenile detention at 14 and on his way to prison at 16. Today, he serves as one of the group’s “peace brokers,” using his story to guide others away from the same path.
“I didn’t know I was living in chaos because that was my life,” said Buchanan. “This is now my purpose in life because I was once them.”
The organization believes its approach is different because it’s driven by people who have lived through the same struggles facing the youth they’re trying to help.
Dana Winbush, another leader in the group, refers to herself as the “Chief of the Streets” because she and her team meet kids where they are by offering mentorship, support, and personalized resources.
“We change the mindset by showing up, being consistent, and being there. We’ve experienced the same things they’re going through,” Winbush said.
The group’s “peace brokers” provide direct intervention and guidance, often stepping in at critical moments.
In 2024 alone, they assisted in mediating over 170, led over 240 interventions, and responded to more than 350 youth crises.
“Some people don’t even have hope for what’s going to happen in the next five days, let alone the next five years,” Winbush said.
Pivot 4 Peace members hope their stories will inspire others to get involved and show that meaningful change is possible.
“I’m living proof that if you give a kid a chance, never give up on them, and keep pouring into them, sooner or later, a flower will grow from the concrete,” Buchanan said.
