On February 12, Operation H.O.O.D. (Helping Our Own Develop), a community violence prevention initiative of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI), joined nearly 500 representatives from anti-violence programs across New York City for a citywide Crisis Management System (CMS) meeting in Queens. The gathering brought together violence interrupters, outreach workers, and community leaders from organizations across all five boroughs, creating a powerful space to reflect on the work being done on the ground and to strengthen the collective effort to keep New Yorkers safe.

For JCCGCI’s Operation H.O.O.D. team, the meeting represented far more than a gathering of professionals. It was a moment to stand alongside hundreds of others who dedicate their lives to preventing violence before it occurs and to recognize the people doing some of the most difficult and courageous work in community safety. The city’s Crisis Management System is built around a simple but powerful idea: communities themselves play a critical role in preventing violence. Programs like Operation H.O.O.D. work directly within neighborhoods to identify potential conflicts, build trust with individuals at risk, and intervene before situations escalate. Rather than responding only after violence occurs, the goal is prevention.

Like other Crisis Management System providers across New York City, Operation H.O.O.D. utilizes the Cure Violence model, a public health approach to violence prevention that treats violence as a phenomenon that can be interrupted and reduced. This model relies on trusted “credible messengers” from within the community who use strategies similar to epidemic disease control: detecting and interrupting conflicts, identifying and supporting individuals at the highest risk of involvement in violence, and working to change social norms so that violence is no longer accepted as a response to conflict.

That work requires deep relationships and an extraordinary level of dedication. Violence interrupters and outreach workers often know their communities intimately. They understand the people they serve, the pressures they face, and the early warning signs that others might miss. Because of this trust and understanding, they are often able to step in at critical moments to de-escalate situations and guide individuals toward safer paths.

The urgency of this work never stops. Calls can come in at any hour, and when they do, staff respond. Whether it is late at night or early in the morning, the priority remains the same: protecting the safety and well-being of the community.

Behind these efforts is a dedicated team of approximately 15 staff members, including trained violence interrupters who work directly on the front lines of prevention. Through their outreach and programming, Operation H.O.O.D. engages roughly 300 community members each month, creating a growing network of individuals who participate in workshops, mentorship opportunities, and community events.

While violence prevention is at the heart of the program, Operation H.O.O.D. also recognizes that lasting safety is built through opportunity, support, and connection. The initiative offers a wide range of services designed to empower community members and provide pathways forward. These include free legal office hours, plumbing training workshops, OSHA certification courses, youth education initiatives, homework assistance, and summer employment programs that help young people gain skills and build confidence in their future. These vocational training and workforce development initiatives are supported in part by private sector partners, including UJA-Federation of New York and the Jean & Louis Dreyfus Foundation.

Operation H.O.O.D. operates from a dedicated 3,000-square-foot community space in Coney Island that serves as both an outreach hub and a safe environment for local residents. The site includes program space for workshops and meetings, a game room, and a gym that provides structured activities for youth and young adults. By offering a welcoming and accessible location within the neighborhood, the program creates a space where community members can build relationships, access resources, and participate in positive programming. Initiatives such as Girls Group, Boys to Men programming, boxing classes, and open recreation provide supportive environments where youth can connect with positive role models and develop leadership and life skills.

Throughout the year, Operation H.O.O.D. also brings the community together through celebrations and events that foster connection and pride. Gatherings such as holiday celebrations, silent discos, and seasonal community events offer residents opportunities to come together in positive, uplifting ways.

At the CMS meeting, one of the most important themes of the day was recognition. The gathering served as an opportunity to honor the violence interrupters and outreach workers across the city who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect their neighborhoods. These individuals often place themselves in challenging situations, motivated by a deep commitment to the people and communities they serve.

As Dwayne Pierre, Administrative Assistant at Operation H.O.O.D., shared, “Operation H.O.O.D. is important because their mission is not just about preventing violence, it’s about helping young people understand that they can have a future for themselves, for both them and their community. It demonstrates that the most effective violence prevention strategies are rooted in trust, relationships, and opportunity. Our team works every day to intervene before conflicts escalate, while also connecting young people and families to education, employment, and mentorship. This combination of prevention and empowerment is what creates real, lasting public safety.”

That belief continues to guide the work of Operation H.O.O.D. and JCCGCI. By focusing on prevention, building trust within the community, and creating opportunities for young people and families, the program is helping to strengthen neighborhoods and create safer futures across Coney Island and beyond.

That commitment to prevention and community trust is central to the program’s approach. As David Anderson, Interim Director of Operation H.O.O.D., explains: “At Operation Hood, we believe that sustainable peace in Coney Island isn’t just about responding to crisis—it’s about relentless consistency and deep-rooted community trust. By merging rigorous quality standards with our boots-on-the-ground operational strategy, we are proving that gun violence is a preventable public health issue. Our team doesn’t just walk these blocks; we provide a lifeline of mentorship and mediation that transforms conflict into opportunity, ensuring a safer, more vibrant future for every resident of our neighborhood.”

👉 Want to get involved? Email us at info@jccgci.org or call 718-449-5000 for more information.

ABOUT JCCGCI

Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is a community-based organization with a citywide scope, providing a wide-spectrum of senior citizen, career, educational, crime-reduction, mental health, community revitalization and related services benefiting all segments of the population. JCCGCI is also a technical assistance provider, offering capacity building services to nonprofits in all five boroughs through its NonProfit HelpDesk division (www.nphd.org). With 40 program sites throughout New York City staffed by almost 400 social service professionals, JCCGCI assists an average of upwards of 2,500 needy individuals and families each day.