We create alternatives to incarceration for youth and young adults by rebuilding our communities through committed relationships centered on love, compassion, and consistency. Walk About Yakima (WAY) program is a pilot program aimed at reducing gang-related gun violence in Yakima County, by providing direct intervention to individuals who are most vulnerable to being killed or incarcerated due to gun violence and gang activity. WAY relies on a unique, evidence-based, community-centered model that provides an alternative to the current criminal justice system.
A need for interVENTION
According to a Project Safe Neighborhoods 2019 report, there were 180 shots-fired incidents in Yakima county, where 5% were fatal and 22% were non-fatal shootings; in over one-quarter of shots fired incidents a victim was injured or killed because of a gunshot. View other statistics here >>
Program Partners
Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) of Yakima & Kittitas Counties
Yakima Police Department (YPD)
Mission
Bring hope to all people in the Yakima community by inviting an environment of trust, hope and belonging through modeling and practicing radical love.
Contractors & program advisors
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Eastern District of Washington Strategic Action Plan
Current Funding
Department of Commerce Community Services Division
Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention
Community Safety Unit