About Us
TO Wards Peace (TWP) is a community-led and risk-driven, wraparound intervention model that takes a public health approach to the intervention, prevention and interruption of community violence in the Northwest and Scarborough regions of Toronto. This program draws on the lived experience of communities and persons affected by various levels of violence to develop and implement effective community engagement approaches, innovative community tools and social media strategies geared at violence intervention and interruption.
Community residents, leaders, youth and adults with lived experience—of anti-Black racism, trauma and violence— including organizations, elders and faith-based leaders were consulted and engaged in the design, development and implementation of the model.
VISION
A Toronto where every youth, family and neighbourhood lives free of violence.
MISSION
TO Wards Peace engages Lead Agencies and Grassroots partners to invest in and deliver innovative community-based solutions that intervene, prevent and interrupt and address the root causes of gun violence.
VALUES
- Community
- Inclusions and Diversity
- Innovation and Collaboration
- Equity and Justice
- Trust and Accountability
- Resilience & Empowerment
The core of the TWP model focuses on three methods of community-based engagement and intervention. These methods include community-based interventions with the support of individuals with lived experience referred to as Violence Disruptions Workers (VDWs) that are overseen by local grassroots groups and lead agencies, hospital-based bedside interventions through partnerships with Toronto hospitals, and online violence intervention through EVIBE- or electronic violence interruption before escalation.
Three Methods of Engagement:
Violence Disruption Workers:
Locally based Violence Disruption Workers (VDWs) are hired by the Grassroots Organizations to provide in person, wrap around, culturally relevant, trauma informed services to youth and their families, from their respective neighborhoods. VDWs identify escalating situations of risks and points for violence intervention and interruption. Additionally, VDWs and associated Grassroots Organizations coordinate access to a range of resources and services to further mitigate the potential for violence and increase life-stabilizing protective factors. VDWs provide personalized case management to support the youth and family to build their capacity/skills, set life goals, connect them to services and help them shift their views around community violence.
EVIBE: Electronic Violence Interruption Before Escalation
E-VIBE component of TO Wards Peace is still in implementation. It is the online method of engagement aimed at identifying emerging trends, disseminating targeted violence prevention content to reduce the propensity of violence in the City of Toronto. The program is led by a community partner and City staff who support youth with lived experience who are hired to engage in social media to share violence prevention content to reduce instances of community violence. These youth will create content that counters negative narratives about communities or harmful contents and comments online. This content specifically targets neighborhoods that have been misrepresented, highlighting the positive aspects of the area and its residents.
BRAVE/THRIVE:
BRAVE/THRIVE are Hospital Based Violence Intervention Programs that are run out of Sunnybrook/Scarborough Health Network/Humber River Hospital (BRAVE) and St. Michael’s/Sick Kids (THRIVE) Hospitals to provide bedside supports and intervention to those affected by gun or stabbing related injuries who may be considering a change in their lifestyle. Support for the affected individual continues with care after discharge through one-on-one coaching and connection to resources.