Established in 2015 as part of New York City’s Crisis Management System, Operation H.O.O.D. was created as a grassroots violence prevention effort focused on interrupting gun violence, supporting high-risk individuals, and strengthening community safety through trusted local engagement. The program utilizes the Cure Violence model, a nationally recognized public health approach to violence prevention that treats violence as a preventable issue rather than an inevitable one.

The Cure Violence model focuses on three core strategies: interrupting violence before it occurs, working directly with individuals at the highest risk of involvement in violence, and changing community norms surrounding conflict resolution. Through violence interrupters, outreach workers, mentorship, workforce development, and community engagement, programs like Operation H.O.O.D. help prevent violence while connecting residents to opportunities and long-term support systems.

As JCCGCI continues expanding this critical work throughout Coney Island, Terence Rice brings more than three decades of leadership experience in youth development, violence prevention, institutional oversight, and justice reform to the role.

Terence’s career has focused on identifying gaps within communities and connecting residents to meaningful resources and opportunities ranging from education and employment support to violence prevention and wraparound services. His leadership experience includes overseeing site-level operations for Alternative to Incarceration programs, managing hiring and onboarding processes, supervising staff scheduling and reporting, coordinating workforce development initiatives, and ensuring compliance with complex funding and operational requirements.

Throughout his career, Terence has also worked extensively with individuals impacted by the justice system and high-risk youth, facilitating structured interventions focused on behavioral change, employment readiness, violence prevention, and long-term community stability. He has coordinated outreach teams across Brooklyn catchment areas, supervised violence interruption strategies, responded directly to shooting incidents, and collaborated closely with law enforcement leadership, city agencies, schools, and grassroots community partners. 

His appointment reflects JCCGCI’s continued investment in experienced, community-driven leadership dedicated to strengthening both violence prevention efforts and long-term community relationships throughout Coney Island. 

As David Anderson, who served as Interim Director of Operation H.O.O.D. over the past several months, shared in welcoming Terence to the role, “The strength of Operation H.O.O.D. relies entirely on the ecosystem of partners around us, from local schools and elected officials to community stakeholders, law enforcement, and neighborhood residents. We are excited to welcome Terence’s leadership, vision, and commitment to expanding that shared network of safety, opportunity, and hope for Coney Island.”

Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island, expressed great confidence in Terence Rice’s appointment, noting that Operation H.O.O.D. has become a critical community violence prevention initiative in Southern Brooklyn.

“At JCCGCI, we believe that every life redirected from violence toward opportunity represents a victory for the entire community. Terence Rice has devoted his career to helping individuals overcome barriers, build brighter futures, and strengthen the neighborhoods they call home. For more than a decade, Operation H.O.O.D. has demonstrated that violence is not inevitable and that lives can be transformed through trust, mentorship, opportunity, and meaningful community engagement. We are confident that Terence’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and unwavering commitment to community empowerment will enable him to build upon the remarkable foundation established by Derick Latif Scott, the inspirational founding Director of Operation H.O.O.D. Under Terence’s leadership, we believe the program is poised to reach new heights, expanding its impact on individuals, families, and the community as a whole while continuing to create safer neighborhoods, greater opportunities, and renewed hope throughout Coney Island. We are delighted to welcome Terence to the JCCGCI family and look forward to this exciting new chapter in the evolution of Operation H.O.O.D.”

Operation H.O.O.D. remains a vital part of JCCGCI’s broader mission to create safer, healthier, and more connected communities through prevention, empowerment, and direct community engagement. Through initiatives including mentorship programming, workforce development opportunities, youth engagement, educational support, legal assistance, and violence interruption services, the program continues to provide critical resources and support to individuals and families throughout Coney Island. 

JCCGCI extends its sincere gratitude to the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), community partners, local stakeholders, and all those who continue supporting Operation H.O.O.D.’s mission and impact throughout the community.

Please join JCCGCI in warmly welcoming Terence Rice as he begins this important new chapter leading Operation H.O.O.D.’s work in Coney Island.

 👉 Want to get involved with JCCGCI? Visit https://www.jccgci.org/programs/partner-with-us/