Indianapolis mayor says Youth Violence Reduction Initiative shows progress INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — WISH-TV’s Youth Alternatives to Violence Crime initiative works to replace violence with youth empowerment. Now, an expanded effort in Indianapolis is zeroing in on those same teens, those wh o are most at risk of committing violence. The effort is called the Youth Violence Reduction Initiative, focusing on teens 17 and younger by connecting them with resources before violence happens. The initiative targets youths who are believed to be most at risk, connecting them with mentors, therapy, and family support. The initiative builds off the Indianapolis Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, which city leaders say has cut homicides and nonfatal shootings significantly since 2021. Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett said Wednesday during a news conference at an east side youth center, “Real progress is being made. We’re not declaring victory because one homicide is immoral. I think we are driving the numbers down and showing that progress can and will be made as long as we stay working together.” The Youth Violence Reduction Initiative had a pilot phase in 2025, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department referred 39 youths to the initiative. About those youths, David Muhammad, founder of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, said Tuesday, “These were young people with very serious challenges. Thankfully, that’s a small number of people in Indianapolis who are at that level of extreme risk, and extreme challenges.” Of the youths, 60% were referred to the initiative, agreeing to received services from community partners including as Voices Corp., New Breed of Youth Mentoring Program, Inner Beauty Program Inc., and Vantage Point Counseling. Kia Wright, co-founder of Voices Corp., said Tuesday, “One of our biggest programs is our day-reporting program, which is court-ordered youth that are coming to us Monday through Friday. They are able to earn high-school credits. They are getting job readiness. They’re getting mental health supports. We also have an emergency shelter care for youth that are displaced.” Wright says the mental health services and mentoring have helped the most, with some children graduating with General Education Development diplomas, a high-school graduation equivalency credential. “We’re part of a system that sometimes has caused to them, and so it takes time to build down those walls and build trust, but once that trust is built, that’s when we start to see the turnaround.” IMPD Chief Tanya Terry said the long-term goal is not just reducing violence, but creating stronger pathways for young people to succeed. “It’s certainly going to take all of us to do that, involving the parents, family members, relatives, friends, and then our community-based organizations, OPHS (the city government’s Office of Public Health and Safety), and IMPD.” City leaders say the initiative ties into larger efforts across the city, including increased youth summer programming, and the Connection Center. A news release issued Wednesday afternoon said, “IMPD, in partnership with OPHS and several community organizations, will once again activate the Connection Center during Final Four weekend. If a juvenile is found in violation of curfew, the Connection Center will provide a safe and supportive space where they can be connected with trusted partners offering resources, food, and support services.” ...read more read less