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Making a Difference, Together.

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OUR MISSION

Addressing the violence at its Roots - In Real-Time.

Engaging those “hardest-to-reach” – as they are, where they are, when they call – with credible messengers, practical solutions, and trauma-informed support. We embrace a holistic approach that consistently results in increased personal growth, decreased recidivism, and long-lasting transformation.

Credible Messengers

Locally and nationally known community influencers with lived experience, our Credible Messenger staff and volunteers serve as intervention specialists, navigators, mentors, peer supporters, employers, co-workers, managers, and leaders. ETV is at “Ground Zero” in Real Time - in the community experiencing the circumstances, on the phone listening to the stories, and offering navigation and solutions tailored to the people.

Creating Jobs

Working with those released on bond and on probation, our programs are designed to help the Courts mitigate the risk while keeping families together. Through immediate Earn While You Learn placement, in-house staffing agency, and strategic relationships with local businesses, ETV addresses daily life concerns like employment, housing, food security, transportation, communication technology, physical and mental health.

Dr. Sean Stevenson

ETV Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Sean Stevenson’s inspiring journey from a troubled youth and incarceration to becoming a national leader in violence intervention embodies the power of transformation and purpose. In 2009, he founded End The Violence (ETV) to interrupt cycles of violence at their roots and provide meaningful pathways to stability, opportunity, and healing.

After discovering his Dyslexia in adulthood, Dr. Stevenson played a key role in the passage of Ohio’s 2012 legislation with Governor John Kasich requiring statewide student testing, and partnered with major corporations to advance cutting-edge assistive technology. He holds honorary doctorates in Christian Leadership and Humane Letters in recognition of his contributions to education and community advancement.

Under Dr. Stevenson’s leadership, ETV has expanded into a comprehensive community support network developing innovative employment programs, establishing a vital food pantry, creating affordable housing opportunities, and launching mental health initiatives designed specifically for justice-impacted individuals.

In 2017, he organized the First National Gang Summit, an effort that contributed to significant reductions in crime across several gang-impacted communities nationwide. His partnerships with leading criminal justice scholars have resulted in widely adopted intervention curricula now used across the United States.

A dedicated advocate for restorative justice, Dr. Stevenson works closely with judges and attorneys to implement fair sentencing practices that strengthen families and reduce incarceration. His pioneering contributions to Community Violence Intervention have earned recognition from President Barack Obama, a United Nations representative, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden, affirming his impact as a national trailblazer in the field.

Dr. Paul David Smith

ETV Chief Administrative Officer

Dr. Paul David Smith is a dedicated educator, strategist, and community advocate originally from Washington, D.C. Before joining the Los Angeles County team, he served as the Director of Legitimacy and Reconciliation at the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he also led the Chicago Violence Reduction Strategy, one of the nation’s most recognized community-policing and violence-intervention efforts.

Prior to his work in Chicago, Dr. Smith served the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, as Public Safety Coordinator, following his tenure as Executive Principal of The Howard School. Under his leadership, the school saw remarkable improvements in academic performance—raising graduation rates from 46% to 88.6% in just five years.

Dr. Smith holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Johnson University, where he focused his dissertation on community-based violence intervention. He also earned a Master of Education from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Bachelor of Science in History from the University of Tennessee. Additionally, he is a former Leadership Fellow with the Public Education Foundation.

Committed to building safer, more connected communities, Dr. Smith emphasizes strong partnerships that promote collaboration and shared responsibility. He co-created the High Point Community Development Initiative, designed to uplift individuals and advance social justice.

Dr. Smith is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, where he has held several leadership roles. He is married and the father of three children.

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Together We Can.

Core Principles

PAX: A Pathway to End The Violence...

Partnership

Through unification of diverse skill, lived experience, expertise, background, culture, and ideas, we can create the strength to overcome the challenges our communities face.

Action

With the practical support and empathy of others aligned with the same goals, the individual - and the community - is empowered to take ACTION to address and improve their circumstances.

eXperience

Support of another who has successfully emerged from similar circumstances can make all the difference. Peers with lived eXperience are Credible Messengers who are uniquely qualified to offer empathy, acknowledgement, validation, strategic guidance and practical, trauma-informed assistance.

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Making a Difference. Together.

Columbus anti-violence group calls for more proactive programs after the state offers help

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX)
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"Meet people where they are"- Prevention group calls city leaders to city neighborhoods

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX)
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Community activist says more needs to be done to keep young adults safe from violence

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX)
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Mailing Address:

End The Violence
810 Kimball Place, Unit B
Columbus, OH 43205

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Advocate for Peace & Founder of End The Violence Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree

Columbus, OH, June 4, 2024 — The remarkable journey of Sean Stevenson, Founder and Director of End The Violence, reaches a pinnacle as he is awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree for his profound dedication to ending violence and fostering peace in communities nationwide. The prestigious degree was conferred upon Dr. Stevenson in Lanham, Maryland on May 18, 2024, in recognition of his transformative journey from incarceration to a life of service.

Stevenson’s path is a testament to the power of redemption and the recognition of lived experiences. Having served 20 years in federal prison, he emerged from adversity with a steadfast commitment to effecting positive change. His personal transformation into a beacon of hope and advocacy exemplifies the potential for growth and renewal within every individual.

“I’m deeply honored to get this recognition. This honorary doctorate isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a tribute to everyone involved in End The Violence and to all the credible messengers using their own experiences to make our communities safer and stronger. It represents the hope and progress we’re working hard to bring to our communities every day.”

The recognition of Dr. Stevenson’s lived experience underscores the importance of acknowledging and valuing diverse perspectives in the pursuit of social justice. His journey serves as a powerful reminder that transformation is possible, and that every individual has the potential to contribute positively to society.

During his address at the ceremony, Dr. Winford Thompson explained that the honorees are in “good company” along with Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Maya Angelou, among others. “…the dissertations that [the academics] are writing are about people that do the type of work that you do every day. You earned this!”

As Stevenson continues to lead End The Violence with compassion and determination, the organization remains dedicated to its mission of building safer, more resilient communities. The honorary Doctorate Degree serves as both a tribute to Dr. Stevenson’s journey and a call to action for continued advocacy and social change.

**Contact:**
Maria Stokes
Assistant Director, Operations
End The Violence
Email: maria.stokes@endtheviolenceoh.org
Phone: (833) ETV-4-ALL / (833) 388-4255 —

**About End The Violence:**

End The Violence is a nonprofit organization dedicated to proactively addressing violence at its roots in real-time. Founded by Sean Stevenson, the organization empowers individuals and communities to break the cycle of violence through education, advocacy, and support services. Recognizing the value of lived experience and the potential for transformation, End The Violence works tirelessly to create a more just and equitable society.

810 Kimball Place, Columbus, OH 43205, (833) ETV-4-ALL, www.endtheviolenceoh.org

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