Tulsa’s Community Violence Intervention, seCURE Tulsa, Initiative Begins Outreach in Priority Neighborhoods

Tulsa's Community Violence Intervention, seCURE Tulsa, Initiative Begins Outreach in Priority Neighborhoods

5/12/2026

Tulsa's Community Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative (TCVI), now operating as seCURE Tulsa, is entering a new chapter as on-the-ground outreach, conflict mediation, and direct support for youth and adults officially launched in priority neighborhoods.

This step follows the 2024 announcement of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and marks the point where community members are beginning to see this work take shape in their neighborhoods.

"seCURE Tulsa reflects the kind of bold, community-driven approach we need if we want to be serious about becoming the safest big city in America," Mayor Monroe Nichols said. "We know that policing alone isn't enough to break cycles of violence. It takes trusted community partners and coordinated intervention strategies that reach people early and connect them to real opportunity. This work is about changing outcomes in neighborhoods that have carried too much of the burden for too long - and doing it in a way that is led with and by the community."

Rooted in the Cure Violence Global model, seCURE Tulsa treats violence as a preventable public health issue. Credible messengers - trained individuals with lived experience - are focusing outreach on youth and adults ages 12 to 34 who face the highest risk for involvement in violence. Their work includes recognizing conflicts early, helping to de-escalate tensions, building steady relationships, and connecting individuals to jobs, school re-engagement, mental health care, housing support, and other essential services. After violent incidents, teams also help create space for healing and reinforce community norms that reject harm.

"This work moves at the speed of trust," said BerThaddaeus Bailey, Managing Director of My Brother's Keeper Tulsa. "Our role is to make sure partners are coordinated, neighborhoods are heard, and outreach teams have what they need to support healing and safety. This is about showing up consistently for young people and honoring the leadership of the communities who have been calling for this kind of support."

To date, seven individuals have been hired, including four credible messengers, all of whom have completed over 40 hours of training through Cure Violence Global. Outreach teams are now active in the community, logging more than 150 hours of engagement with at-risk residents. This work has already led to the identification of individuals at highest risk, the de-escalation of a large group conflict, and real-time response following a shooting incident.

"Our focus is to meet people where they are and help stop harm before it starts," said Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, Executive Director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation, which will lead adult outreach efforts. "Our credible messengers bring lived experience, compassion, and a commitment to walking with people through some of the hardest moments of their lives."

Youth-focused outreach will be carried out by Youth Services of Tulsa (YST), whose teams will mediate conflict and provide relationship-based support in schools and community spaces.

"Young people need adults who can show up with understanding, not judgment," said Beth Edwards Svetlic, Assistant Executive Director of Youth Services of Tulsa. "Our outreach workers will be on the ground every day helping youth navigate conflict, stay connected to opportunities, and feel supported in building safer, more stable futures."

A Community Advisory Committee, made up primarily of residents from neighborhoods most impacted by violence, will continue to guide implementation of seCURE Tulsa, building on the community input that shaped the initiative from the beginning.

Community Partners
seCURE Tulsa is supported by Youth Services of Tulsa, the Terence Crutcher Foundation, ImpactTulsa, My Brother's Keeper Tulsa, the City of Tulsa, and community partners working together to strengthen neighborhood safety and wellbeing.

More Information & ReferralsResidents can soon track progress and navigate referrals at https://www.SecureTulsa.org. The site is undergoing final preparations for its official debut - please check back often for the latest updates and the full launch.

Background about the initial announcement of TCVI can be found online.