Violence prevention network increased impact of programs

The Mission

The Community Leaders Fellowship Program, a program of The California Wellness Foundation’s Violence Prevention Initiative, addressed the causes of violence by recognizing, supporting, and linking grassroots leadership working in violence prevention.

Thirteen leaders from around the state were singled out for their groundbreaking leadership in violence prevention, and awarded individual grants through the Community Leaders Fellowship Program. While the funds were undoubtedly crucial to the grassroots organizations they represent, the time they spent working together over a two-year period under the guidance of Community Partners helped them to grow individually and bond in ways that will amplify their efforts for years to come.

“I gained an appreciation for how broad the work of violence prevention is,” said Chancee Martorell of Thai Community Development Center. “There are so many different aspects to what we do, so many different models to learn from. It was inspiring.” Chancee adopted the tactics of another fellow who successfully employed city nuisance abatement laws to address the proliferation of sex shops, liquor stores and other businesses that lead to violence in her Skid Row community. Together, the two women joined forces on a city-wide task force to encourage the enforcement of nuisance abatement laws in other communities.

Staff worked with the fellows both individually and as a group to strengthen their organizations, improve their leadership skills, provide inspiration and support, and deepen their awareness of different ways they might approach their work. Community Partners designed the program to allow for the open exchange of ideas to broaden the Fellows’ thinking about violence prevention strategies.

How Community Partners Has Helped

As the lead agency, Community Partners operated as a close partner of the foundation – administering the fellowships, monitoring fellows’ progress, providing them with technical assistance, and implementing an original leadership development curriculum.

SOURCE: Community Partners 2003-2004 Biennial Report

PROJECT STATUS: As of Fall 2006, the Community Leaders Fellowship Program has ended.