The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) is a leading non-profit organization specializing in reducing violence, particularly in Communities of Color, through evidence-based, hospital-based intervention programs. The HAVI promotes and supports a network of over 80 programs in the USA, Canada, England, and El Salvador that provide affected individuals not only with medical care but also with trauma- and community-oriented support. The goal is to enable comprehensive healing processes by addressing the physical, psychological, and social impacts of violence equally.
The core business of the HAVI is the promotion of hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs) as well as the provision of resources, training, and technical assistance for existing and new programs. The organization functions as an interdisciplinary network of professionals such as doctors, social workers, therapists, and violence prevention specialists. In addition, the HAVI is heavily involved in political advocacy to establish sustainable funding models, including Medicaid reimbursements, and to reduce structural barriers.
The mission of the HAVI is to combat violence specifically in marginalized communities affected by racism and to promote long-term healing through trauma-related, equitable healthcare. The is particularly valued, as people who have experienced violence are recognized as the driving force for its solution. The organization's values are based on and , with a strong focus on eliminating systemic inequality and structural racism in the healthcare system and beyond.
HAVI consistently works in a trauma-informed manner: The programs take into account the mental and physical wounds of violence survivors as well as the complex social determinants that often accompany such experiences. The organization thus contributes to reducing health disparities among victims of violence and mitigating the consequences of chronic stress, such as cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders.
Sustainability is demonstrated at the HAVI in its pursuit of systemic transformation. This includes building equitable healthcare systems as well as promoting public health policies that understand and address violence as a health crisis. Through continuous research, evaluation, and data-based strategies, the effectiveness of the programs is continuously improved. At the same time, the HAVI is committed to transparency and accountability to the communities most affected by violence.
In summary, The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention is a pioneering force in violence prevention with an integrative, community-led approach that encompasses both healthcare and political advocacy to enable long-term safety and healing for marginalized populations.
