Domestic Violence Strategy Gains National Attention

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has invited the High Point Police Department to present information about our Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative (DVI) that was begun in 2012 at its national conference in September.  Based on the Violent Crime Focused Deterrence model, the DVI has helped reduce repeat domestic violence offenses in High Point.  Almost 3500 offenders have been “put on notice” over the past six years of implementation.   And while the program is not perfect – domestic violence continues to happen – it has made a difference, more than other strategies used in the past.

Read more about our DVI in this article from the Greensboro News and Record.

Good Things Going Around

On September 24, 2015, the following article was published in the High Point Enterprise, written by the president of the High Point Community Foundation.  As a result, one of our clients came in and made a $100 donation to our organization.  He explained that he had read the article, thought about it and wanted to give back. We are grateful to both of them!

Giving 101: Best Deal in Town

There has been a seismic shift in the philanthropic landscape over the past ten years that I, coming from a corporate background, have enthusiastically embraced. It’s called “venture philanthropy,” and it is based upon the belief that charitable gifts should be made with the same expectation one might have investing in your own personal stock portfolio.
All nonprofit organizations should have a sound business plan, a means to measure success and a return on your investment. Obviously you won’t be getting a stock dividend, but what you should see, and be able to measure, is a tangible impact. What this philosophy introduces is accountability and it’s a promise that any organization you support should be able to provide.
Now, what if I told you that there is a nonprofit in our community who can promise you multiple million dollar dividends for your investment? Would you be interested in giving to an organization that provides this kind of returns? The organization I am talking about is High Point Community against Violence (HPCAV) and it may be the best “bang for your buck” in our city. HPCAV was established years ago by a group of ordinary citizens who partnered with our High Point Police Department in an effort to make their community a more safe and productive environment to live, raise a family and run a business.
Since its inception, they have been identifying and “calling out” serious offenders, offering them a chance to mend their ways and, if they choose not to, sending them on long-term stints in federal prison. They are proactive in working with those recently released from prison by helping them with housing, food and job training, to acclimate them to society and keep them from reoffending.
Most recently, HPCAV has started using a similar format to address domestic violence, which is not only more prevalent in this community than one would think, but also presents the highest risk to our police officers who respond to the calls. The key to their success in both of these formats is that the focus is rightfully directed upon the offender and they use the power of the courts to leverage reform or remove the offenders from the community.
High Point Police Chief Marty Sumner not only endorses HPCAV, he can show you that this organization saves our High Point well over $14 million a year. It truly is the best deal in town, yet they have always struggled to raise money for their minimal budget. The Rev. Jim Summey, HPCAV’s executive director, is paid by the City of High Point and their annual budget is less than $100,000 a year.
Every citizen, and certainly all of our local businesses, should be contributing to HPCAV annually. This program, which has been nationally and internationally recognized, deserves our admiration and financial support. I encourage each of you who read this article to consider just how much it is worth to you and your family to have a community that is safe from crime. There some things in life we do simply because they are right, true and just. HPCAV is one of these and if you would like to support them send your checks to High Point Community against Violence, 792 N. Main Street, High Point, NC 27262.
PAUL LESSARD, a recipient of the Carnegie Hero Medal and a catalyst for the growth of community outreach programs, is president of the High Point Community Foundation.

 

HPCAV Accepts FBI Award

FBI AwardOn May 1, 2015, HPCAV was presented the 2014 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award at FBI Headquarters, Washington, DC by Director James B. Comey.  HPCAV was selected as the organization in North Carolina to receive this recognition.  Board President Gretta Bush, Board members Robert Martin and Chris Martin, Executive Director Jim Summey, and High Point Police Chief Marty Sumner were there to receive the award.

“This year’s honorees have distinguished themselves in remarkable ways through their hard work, their leadership, and their strength of character,” said Director Comey. “They are ordinary citizens, but what they have accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary.”

“We are so honored to receive this award,” said Gretta Bush, HPCAV Board President. “After all these years of working together, it is so nice to see our efforts recognized.”

This special award was created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime and violence in America.  Nominations are submitted by area FBI Field Offices.

High Point Community Against Violence was formed in 1997.

Focused Deterrence Works

Preliminary 2014 year end statistics from the High Point Police Department show, once again, that the Focused Deterrence model successfully reduces crime.

Since we started using this model in 1997, High Point’s violent crime is down 67% even though our population has increased by 44%.

Yes, we still have violent crimes take place here.  But we continue to work towards less crime and making High Point a safer place for everyone.  We’re getting there!

 

HPCAV Receives FBI Award

HPCAV was honored to receive the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2014 at a presentation on November 20, 2014.  Deron W. Roberts, FBI Special Agent in Charge from the Charlotte, NC office made the presentation to Jim Summey, HPCAV Executive Director and Gretta Bush, HPCAV Board president.

HPCAV was selected from nominations throughout NC. Members of the organization will travel to Washington, DC in May, 2015 for the official presentation ceremony, joining winning community organizations from other states.

HPCAV members with Agent Roberts

HPCAV members with FBI Agent Roberts.

HPCAV Donor Recognized

On October 16, 2014, the office of the United States Attorney, Middle District of North Carolina, recognized Mr. Zaki Khalifa for the donation of the building at 792 North Main Street in High Point for use by High Point Community Against Violence, Inc. (HPCAV).

The presentation was made on behalf of Ripley Rand, U.S. Attorney by Rob Lang, Assistant U.S. Attorney and original member of High Point’s crime reduction strategy task force.  “Thank you for the example you set,” said Lang as he reflected on what the building has meant to High Point’s efforts to reduce violent crime.

In sharing a bit about why he donated the building, Mr. Khalif stated that as a result of some introspection, he had asked himself, “Is there something I can do to prevent crime by someone else?  It was in that spirit that I donated the building.”

Mr. Khalifa is a widely respected and long time resident of High Point.  He is well known as the founder and owner of Zaki Oriental Rugs and has been active in many community efforts.

The building provides HPCAV with permanent office space and serves as as a location for related prevention and intervention programs.  Included is the Life Construction Program that teaches construction skills and provides hands on learning opportunities in a workshop in the back of the building.

 

Thank You, Wendelta.

THANK YOU to Wendelta, Inc. which recently gave a multi-function copy machine to HPCAV.   This gift makes it easier for our staff and volunteers to function efficiently.  We are very grateful for this donation!

The machine was picked up and then set up in our office by a participant in the Life Construction Program, providing another opportunity to put his skills to work.

Together, we ARE making High Point a safer place for everyone!

 

HPU Communications Class Creates Marketing Campaigns

Earlier this year, HPCAV was chosen by the High Point University (HPU) Communications 4415 class, under the leadership of Dr. Sojung Claire Kim, as the focus of their semester’s work.  The result?  Four outstanding marketing campaigns, designed by a team of students from this class, and presented to HPCAV representatives in early May.

The R.H.O.C.K. Advertising team campaign was selected as the winner, but each campaign had ideas and strategies that could be implemented.  Included were changes to the HPCAV logo, new taglines, fundraising ideas and more and different use of social media.

What really captured HPCAV representatives’ attention was how well all the students understood the history and the goals of our organization.  Their research — conversations with Executive Director, Jim Summey, reviewing the website, attending a call-in, conducting public surveys — informed their campaign creation.  But their understanding of how communities and individuals want to be safe and the importance of building relationships drove their enthusiasm for their work.

Read more about this exciting project with High Point University and be on the lookout for changes to come!

Summey Named Senior Fellow

Jim Summey, D. D., Executive Director of High Point Community Against Violence, Inc. has been named a Senior Fellow in the Justice Programs Office (JPO) of the School of Public Affairs at American University.  Senior Fellows provide multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional perspectives to help guide justice system initiatives.  Summey was invited because of his work with the violence reduction efforts here in High Point.

“This is an exciting time to work in the justice field and your perspective and experience will greatly enrich our work,” wrote Caroline S. Cooper, Director of the Justice Programs Office at American University in the invitation.

Summey began working as a volunteer with HPCAV while he was the Minister at English Road Baptist Church in High Point.  He became Executive Director in 2009.

For more information about the Justice Programs Office and Senior Fellow Program, visit the American University website.


 

Community Support Continues

High Point Community Against Violence (HPCAV) is pleased to announce a $3500 donation to our organization from the Heart of High Point Fund.

HPCAV has had an almost 30 percent increase in offender contact and expressed need for assistance with food, utilities, rent, medicine and transportation in just the past two months.  In the past quarter, HPCAV provided just over $3000 in assistance to our focused deterrence offenders and their families.  The continued tight employment market and the end of many short-term jobs has meant additional challenges for our clients.  Providing this limited assistance has strained our budget as well.

Thankfully, the Heart of High Point Fund gave us and other local non-profit agencies the opportunity to apply for extra funds for the end of the calendar year.  Our organization was awarded $3500 which will balances our budget and will help us meet the current pressing needs.

We are grateful for the continued community support as we work to make High Point a safe place for everyone!