Memphis violence interrupters face funding cuts

In Memphis, Tennessee, Alexx Brent of Heal 901 works to keep young people accused of crimes from becoming further involved in the criminal justice system.

Brent and his colleagues at the violence prevention program are overwhelmed by requests for help, but limited by a small staff of only three violence intervention workers. This strain occurs despite a recent decline in overall gun violence in the U.S. as teenagers have not seen the same level of improvement as other age groups.

The situation is worsened by decreasing federal funding for violence prevention programs. The Trump administration canceled over $1 billion in public safety funding in 2025, and pandemic-era aid is also running out. Simultaneously, the administration increased law enforcement presence in Memphis by deploying the National Guard and creating a federal task force, which has shot and killed four people since its deployment. The cost of the Guard deployment, estimated at over $300 million, far exceeds the funding Heal 901 lost.

Heal 901 focuses on mediating conflicts and helping young people access resources like housing, jobs, and mental health care. K. Durell Cowan, the founder, emphasizes the need for community-based solutions in a city grappling with poverty, racism, and easy access to guns. Despite the challenges, Heal 901 has seen successes, such as helping a 14-year-old boy stay out of detention and a teenage brother graduate high school, demonstrating the impact of consistent support.

However, limited funding restricts their ability to serve the growing number of at-risk youth.