Program Evaluation of a Gun Violence Listening Intervention in Durham, NC

Abstract

This project sought to evaluate the effectiveness of Prescriptions for Repair (P4R). P4R is a listening intervention in which trained community-based facilitators help survivors of gun violence or the loved ones of victims of gun violence tell their stories. Objectives of the evaluation were to determine to what degree P4R was conducted as designed, assess whether P4R achieved its intended outcomes, assist the project’s leadership and staff know what aspects of the program were effective and why, and help capture lessons that can be applied to other gun violence interventions or to other partnerships between academic/healthcare institutions and community-based organizations. Evaluation questions were developed through a process that involved interviews and surveys of P4R interested parties. Evaluation questions were answered utilizing exit surveys of participants; exit surveys of facilitators; interviews and surveys of P4R leadership, staff, and other interested parties; and review of program administrative data. This evaluation found that nearly all program participants felt that the P4R listening sessions contributed to their personal healing, nearly all program participants felt they had the opportunity to share their thoughts about breaking cycles of gun violence in Durham, nearly all program participants and facilitators believed that P4R can contribute to reducing gun violence, and cooperation between academic/healthcare institutions and local community-based organizations can lay the groundwork for positive change in the community.