On Wednesday, May 7, more than 100 community members brought awareness to a major budget shortfall in the Miami-based Circle of Brotherhood’s gun violence prevention programs. Standing outside the Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall Social-Economic Institute, home to the nonprofit, supporters rallied against the federal government’s sudden funding termination for COB’s work — cuts they say could shut down the organization entirely.
Local Impact
On April 22, the Circle of Brotherhood (COB) and 364 other community-based organizations nationwide received notice from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that their federal grant funding would be terminated immediately, disrupting their operations on gun violence prevention programs and crime-victim advocacy. According to the letter, the canceled awards “no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities.”
The $2 million federal grant included funding for staff and COB’s community wellness and violence intervention program. The cuts, which froze $600,000 of that amount, came with no warning and just before summer, the peak season for violence.
The nonprofit now faces uncertainty. COB’s Executive Director Lyle Muhammad said the cuts could effectively mean layoffs, and even the end of the organization.
“These are the doctors and nurses that work in your community every day,” Muhammad said, likening his staff to essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis. “Can you imagine if, during the height of the COVID pandemic, a mandate came down to lay off doctors and nurses? Get that image in your mind.”
The nonprofit has a team of individuals known as “peacemakers” who work directly with children in local schools to help prevent conflict. Acting as a neighborhood presence, the team patrols communities, works to deter crime, mentors youth, supports grieving families and brokers peace where bullets often fly.
Muhammad highlighted the powerful impact his team has had on the community, citing examples in which peacemakers have intervened to stop suicide attempts and prevent potential murders…