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Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, Calif., knows that supporting victims of local violence involves more than treating patients in the aftermath of it. Fueled by a U.S. Department of Justice grant awarded in October 2023, Providence’s two-pronged plan to address violence in the San Fernando Valley is collaborative and proactive.

“The first step is intervention, treating every victim of violence who comes through our doors and understanding the circumstances,” said Anthony Ortiz-Luis, director of community health investment at Providence. “The other piece is to work to strengthen the safety net of violence prevention providers in the San Fernando Valley.”

To bolster these efforts, Providence Holy Cross is partnering with community organizations that work with at-risk youth, support people who’ve recently left rehabilitation and are seeking jobs, and provide services ranging from treatment for drug use and mental health issues, to support for sober living.

“It’s our hope that Providence can be a part of the solution to protecting our community from violence,” said Bernie Klein, M.D., the hospital’s chief executive. “It’s heartbreaking to see the impacts of violence week after week in our trauma center. We’re thankful to our partners who are joining us in this critically important work to help our patients when they leave the hospital and to build safer communities.”

To learn more about this strategy, read this article.