LOVE IS STRONGER GV
Community-led gun violence intervention, mentorship, and healing-centered support
What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead. What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.
Our Mission
LISGV serves young adults and families facing elevated risk of gun violence involvement, retaliation, trauma exposure, or social isolation. Participants are referred through schools, families, peers, community members, and trusted networks, or they can self-refer.
Our model is relationship-based, culturally grounded, and designed for communities where trust must be earned over time. Instead of offering a single isolated service, LISGV provides consistent, layered support that combines violence interruption, healing, skill-building, and accountability.
Who We Serve
Young adults at risk of gun violence involvement or retaliation
Participants who need a safe entry point into mentorship and positive peer community
Families coping with trauma, grief, instability, or barriers to support
Neighborhoods where violence interruption and trust-based engagement are urgently needed
How the program works
Referral and Screening
Receive referrals or direct information about an individual at risk. Internal staff assess urgency, desired outcomes, and the safest approach to engagement.
1
Trust-based Intake
Gather contact preferences, social supports, key risks, and family priorities. Introduce the participant in a safe space and make clear that the program is free and relationship-based.
2
Personalized Mentorship Plan
Assign a Positive Influencer or mentor to begin individualized support, help navigate barriers, and maintain regular follow-up.
3
Ongoing Intervention
Provide mediation, de-escalation support, emotional regulation coaching, peer accountability, and practical problem-solving as needs arise.
4
Skill-building and Leadership
Build participant capacity in peer-to-peer intervention, Active Bystander methods, financial autonomy, communication, and civic leadership.
5
Retention and Transition
Sustain engagement over time, re-check priorities regularly, and support participants as they move toward safer relationships and pro-social leadership roles.
6
Core Services
Violence intervention and mediation
Conflict interruption and de-escalation support
Peer-to-peer intervention methods including the 5Ds: Distract, Delegate, Direct, Document, and Delay
Active Bystander training and practical safety planning
Leadership and life skills
Public speaking, confidence building, and communication practice
Community responsibility, civic virtues, and neighborhood awareness
Pro-social identity development and positive peer leadership
Mentorship and healing-centered engagement
Safe-space relationship building with credible messengers and mentors
Emotional regulation, self-reflection, and trauma-informed support
Consistent check-ins and participant-centered accountability
Economic resiliency
Financial planning and credit-building education
Discussions about investing, employment readiness, and long-term autonomy
Stipend-supported participation when available to reduce barriers to engagement
LISGV’s program data and annual impact reporting show both high-touch intervention work and broad community engagement.
50+ in 2026
Young leaders trained through youth empowerment activities
400+ since 2021
Young leaders trained through youth empowerment activities.
Why funders invest in LISGV
• Trusted access to participants who may not initially engage with traditional systems
• A credible messenger model grounded in lived expertise and community legitimacy
• A blend of prevention, intervention, family support, and leadership development
• Demonstrated capacity to track participation, engagement patterns, and intervention activity
• A model that supports public safety goals while centering healing, dignity, and long-term stabilization
Service footprint
LISGV maintains a primary concentration in Portland, especially East Portland, while serving a broader regional footprint across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Current service areas include Portland, Gresham, Happy Valley, Clackamas, Milwaukie, Vancouver, Camas, Oregon City, Pendleton, Corbett, Estacada, North Plains, Pilot Rock, Athena, Wallowa, La Pine, Sisters, Philomath, Ridgefield, Beaverton, Tigard, and Tualatin, across counties including Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Umatilla, Wallowa, Lane, Benton, Deschutes, and Clark County, Washington.
Contact
Love Is Stronger GV
PO Box 11842
Portland, OR 97211
Phone: 971-716-1699
Email: info@loveisstrongergv.org
Website: loveisstrongergv.org.