OUR HISTORY

Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) have now existed for over 20 years. Today, the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) is an organization that fosters hospital and community collaborations to advance equitable, trauma-informed care and violence intervention and prevention programs.

History of HVIPs & The HAVI

Youth ALIVE!, a non-profit public health agency headquartered in Oakland, California, took the initiative to establish the pioneering HVIP, known as "Caught in the Crossfire," back in 1994. Inspired by its success, similar programs were subsequently launched in Milwaukee and Baltimore. Building on this momentum, Youth ALIVE! organized a crucial event in March 2009, bringing together 30 influential figures, including medical directors, program directors, board chairs, and clinicians, to engage in a constructive dialogue about the fundamental components and best practices of effective hospital-based interventions.

Following two days of collaborative discussions, the National Network of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs emerged, uniting eight programs from different parts of the country. This collective effort marked the birth of what is now known as the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (The HAVI). The HAVI serves as a significant force in combating violence by promoting and supporting hospital-based intervention programs nationwide.

KEY MILESTONES

1994- Youth ALIVE!, a non-profit public health agency based in Oakland, CA, establishes the first HVIP, Caught in the Crossfire in collaboration with Sherman Spears, a survivor of gun violence.
1996- Two years later Project UJIMA launches in Milwaukee.
1998- Violence Intervention Program at University of Maryland Medical Center launches in Baltimore.
2009- Youth ALIVE! convenes 30 experts to address practices of successful HVIPs. The National Network of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (NNHVIP) is launched, comprised of 7 programs across the country.
2011- NNHVIP publishes ‘Violence is Preventable: A Best Practices Guide for Launching & Sustaining a Hospital-based Program to Break the Cycle of Violence’.
2018- NNHVIP hires its first Executive Director, Fatimah Loren Dreier, and adopts a new name, the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (The HAVI).
2020- The HAVI network grows to over 40 member programs, with over 30+ emerging programs. The HAVI has 10 staff.
TODAY- The HAVI network grows to 50 member programs and 30+ emerging sites in 85+ cities across the U.S. The HAVI now has over 30 staff and continues to grow.