Mute the Violence DC

INVEST IN KIDS - WE NEED A BUS FOR 30 DC KIDS

HELP US PROVIDE SAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR AT-RISK YOUTH IN WARD 8!

About Us:

Mute the Violence DC (MTVDC) works with underserved youth throughout the District of Columbia, focusing primarily on Ward 8. We provide conflict resolution, mediation, intervention and prevention, peer mentoring, and school-based services. Our programs support Tier 3 and Tier 4 youth in the DCPS school system who face truancy, absenteeism, and behavioral challenges. We work directly within schools to address students' needs through tailored interventions.

The Problem:

We lack transportation to take the children out of communities where violence is prevalent. While we have received a capacity-building grant from LISC and a mini-grant from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, these funds support event creation but do not cover transportation, which is crucial for our mission.

Our Goal:

We are raising $25,000 to purchase a used bus to safely transport 30 children. This bus will enable us to provide year-round support, including summer programs and afterschool activities focusing on conflict resolution, peer mentoring, entrepreneurship skills (food handling, ServSafe certification, t-shirt design), and sports. They will learn about healthy activities throughout the summer and academic year. We know that teaching kids as young as 9 saves lives.

Why We Need Your Help:

With the bus, we can:

• Safely transport children to and from our programs.

• Keep them engaged in positive, educational activities.

• Help them avoid exposure to high-crime areas.

• Provide opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Our Achievements:

Mute the Violence DC is a 501(c)(3) and SAMS Verified Vendor, fully insured. We have received support from various funding partners, including LISC (capacity building grant), DTLR (in-kind donations), and Building Blocks DC (innovative programming, activities, and resources). Our programs have successfully kept youth away from violence and drugs, empowering them with the skills and resources to make positive choices.

Our Struggles:

Our founders and staff often pay out of pocket to fund events and programs because the need for change is at an all-time high. Despite having supportive partners, we still face significant financial challenges, especially in securing transportation for our kids.

How You Can Help:

Please donate to help us raise funds for a bus. Every contribution brings us closer to providing safe transportation and a brighter future for our kids.

Contact Us:

For more information, visit mtvdc.org. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.

Invest in our kids today, and they will invest in keeping our community safe. Together, we can uplift one another and create positive change.