2026 Community Violence Intervention Conference

This landmark convening will bring together community leaders, statewide CVI practitioners,

educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement partners, advocates, service providers, and

community-based organizations committed to reducing violence and strengthening community

safety across Michigan. We are also honored to host State Leadership from the Michigan CVI

Department, whose presence underscores the importance of unified, statewide collaboration in this

work.

The HELP CVI Conference is designed with three core purposes:

• To bring awareness to local and statewide CVI efforts, highlighting measurable impacts and

proven community-based strategies.

• To foster collaboration across Michigan through shared training, best practices, advocacy,

and alignment around legislation and sustainable funding for CVI work.

• To build and strengthen partnerships among Michigan cities and organizations to support

future collaborations and collective impact initiatives.

Our dynamic program will feature:

• A Keynote Address by Yafinceio “Big B” Harris of Urban Alliance in Kalamazoo, MI

• Thought-provoking panel discussions focused on innovative approaches to violence

prevention, mediation, and wraparound support services.

• Interactive workshops on CVI funding opportunities, best practices, and emerging

partnerships.

• Intentional networking opportunities designed to spark new collaborations and strengthen

existing relationships.

The goal of this conference is not only to inform, but also to activate, equipping communities with

tools, connections, and strategies proven to save lives and build safer neighborhoods.