GRASP IN DENVER AWARDED $100,000 SUPPORT GRANT FROM EVERYTOWN COMMUNITY SAFETY FUND TO EXPAND CREDIBLE MESSENGER STREET OUTREACH

Everytown Reinvests In Denver’s Peer-Led Gang Intervention And Street Outreach Program Amid DOJ Cuts

DENVER, CO — Today, the Everytown Community Safety Fund, a program of Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, announced that GRASP (Gang Rescue and Support Project) will receive a $100,000 support grant over two years to sustain its peer-led gun violence prevention efforts.

GRASP uses a street outreach and violence interruption model, led by former gang members who have turned their lives around and now support youth at risk of gang involvement. The program also provides services to families of victims and helps young people leave gang life safely.

“We’re proud to re-invest in GRASP because their credible messenger model has proven effective in reducing shootings and supporting youth,” said Michael-Sean Spence, managing director of Community Safety Initiatives at Everytown and creator of the Community Safety Fund. “As federal rollbacks make the funding landscape even more complex, it’s critical that trusted organizations with proven track records like GRASP can continue their life-saving work.”

“This funding supports our work in the neighborhoods where we’re needed most, showing young people that there is a way out,” said Johnnie Williams, Executive Director, GRASP. “Everytown’s support helps to ensure that Denver’s progress against gun violence won’t be undone by short-sighted federal cuts.”

The announcement comes as the Department of Justice has slashed funding for public safety grants, challenging community organizations to sustain their lifesaving efforts with declining support. At the same time, many cities that have invested in community violence intervention (CVI) are seeing gun homicides decline, including Denver, a powerful testament to the effectiveness of programs like GRASP. Research shows that community-level violence prevention programs can contribute to drops in crime.

Since its launch in 2019, the Everytown Community Safety Fund has invested more than $15.7 million in grants to 142 CVI organizations across 72 U.S. cities, in addition to technical support and capacity building resources. This year, Everytown is awarding $2.67 million in grants nationwide, including renewed support for long-standing partners like GRASP. More about the Everytown Community Safety fund and their grantees can be found here.

About GRASP

GRASP (Gang Rescue and Support Project) is a Denver-based peer-run program of Denver Youth Program supporting youth at risk of gang involvement, active gang members seeking to exit, and families of victims. Led by former gang members, GRASP staff use their lived experience to build trust, mediate conflicts, and provide mentorship, helping break cycles of violence through authentic connection and support. Learn more at https://graspyouth.org/