Pioneered a successful model to stop gender-based violence.

PI’s Safety Through Connection initiative engages organizations that don’t typically address intimate partner violence and brings them into the work of promoting safe relationships. Launched in 2018, the initiative involves community coalitions in four California cities whose primary work focuses on issues such as worker rights, mental health, and nutrition and physical activity. Now those coalitions incorporate strategies that support equitable relationships and non-violent problem solving into their efforts on issues such as eviction prevention, COVID-19 contact tracing, and immigrant rights. Safety Through Connection was recognized by the Community Justice Action Fund in its 2020 policy agenda as a model of success to stop gender-based gun violence. CJAF’s policy agenda is a comprehensive, grassroots policy framework driven by communities of color directly impacted by violence. This work was supported by the Blue Shield of California Foundation. Photo by CBDIO Fresno.