Examining Credible Messengering in Indianapolis’ Gun Violence Reduction Strategy

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Building resiliency within communities disproportionately affected by gun violence creates lasting change. To address the consequences of gun violence, local government agencies are partnering with community organizations to implement credible messenger approaches that leverage community assets and experiences to break cycles of violence. 

Since 2024, AIR has partnered with the city of Indianapolis, the Indy Public Safety Foundation, the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform, and local community partners to deepen our understanding of credible messengering through the city’s Gun Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), including credible messenger approaches. 

This includes a focus on the Indy Peace Fellowship, which supports people at high risk of gun violence involvement through an 18-month life coaching fellowship that helps participants develop goals, connect to needed resources, and prevent future gun violence involvement.

Guided by a local community advisory board, AIR is studying the implementation, outcomes, and impact of Indianapolis’ gun violence reduction strategy and the Indy Peace Fellowship. Our work examines: 

• The implementation and delivery of the GVRS' credible messenger activities (Indy Peace);
• Changes in Indy Peace Fellows' outcomes after program participation; and
• The GVRS' impact on non-fatal shootings and homicides in Indianapolis.