Macon Magazine

DECEMBER 2023/JANUARY 2024 | maconmagazine.com 57 beef in the streets as Cure Violence members give make for a better effort, said Malone. He considers Cure Violence the best model he's seen as an interrupter of deadly encounters. As what Johnson describes as "Credible Messengers," (people who have earned the trust of the individuals whose actions they are looking to interrupt) Malone, Anderson, and Kind are making a difference. "Cure Violence has a lot of lessons that we can learn from. Through it, we can guide and create other Credible Messengers," Malone observed. Working as partners with Pleasant Hill neighbors helps build relationships. This is especially true when dealing with the neighborhood youth, said Kind. Respectfully and skillfully connecting with youth – and challenging them when necessary – works, he insisted. "We're here to help their good days outweigh their bad ones." Early results The Cure Violence way is working. Information from early September provided by the Bibb County Sheriff's Department and forwarded to Macon Magazine by Johnson shows reported gun violence in Pleasant Hill is down 64 percent since Cure Violence's arrival in early 2022. The Sherrif's Office referred to it as a positive. Johnson agrees. "We're doing this through detection, disruption, and treatment of the problem, showing it's possible to change the condition of challenged communities," he said. Calvin Sneed, Jr. is a beneficiary of Cure Violence's presence. The LaGrange College freshman was a summer camper overseen by the group. He described the experience as motivating and inspiring. "It was greatly beneficial and helped me with my decision-making," he said before heading off to school. As a lifelong resident and Pleasant Hill community advocate, Erion Smith was drawn additionally to be a member of Cure Violence as a father. His desire to see a different outlook for the children there sold him on being a part of their efforts. Shamia Dumas was born and raised in Pleasant Hill. The 30-year- old self-employed professional got to know Cure Violence initially as an AmeriCorps Cadet mentoring children at the Booker T. Washington Center. She was so impressed upon meeting members that she also started working with neighborhood youth through Cure Violence. She pointed out that the outreach can be seen in tangible outcomes like community events, public food distribution, increased employment, and the reduction in gunshots. "They're needed. They are a big help to this neighborhood. It's good having them. All neighborhoods could benefit from having them or something like them." Dumas said. Testaments like those from Sneed, Smith, and Dumas speak volumes, said Johnson. Data and testimonials are how Cure Violence measures success. And what works. "We're the real deal," he stressed. "We're about the work. The Cure Violence family is trying its best to save our families." "The Cure Violence family is trying its b est to s ave our families." LEFT The Cure Violence Macon team gathers outside their headquarters. Photo by DSTO Moore.

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