Release the Grip is a violence reduction initiative and one of three arms of Bronx Connect, which is itself part of Urban Youth Alliance International, Inc. (UYAI). Urban Youth Alliance International began in 1970 as a movement of young people committed to the transformative work of community service.

Serving residents of the Bronx, UYAI expanded its programming in 1998 to include Bronx Connect, which is designed to divert justice system-involved youth from incarceration or other coercive punishments and to avoid recidivism.

Bronx Connect sees Cure Violence-based programming as critical in its efforts to address the violent events that often precipitate a youth’s involvement in the criminal justice system. The program plans to continue its work in social service and community restoration through changing neighborhood thought patterns, norms and behaviors.

As a newly inaugurated Cure Violence program site, Release the Grip is developing its repertoire of community services, events and programs. The team has already assisted other Cure Violence programs with providing wrap-around and other services and many of these are expected to be offered through its own program. Community engagement is a key part of the Cure Violence Model, and Bronx Connect is fully committed to incorporating neighborhood outreach into its activities.

Program Particulars

Host Organization:	Urban Youth Alliance, Inc. (Bronx Connect)
Program:	Release the Grip
Established:	2014
Contact:	christopher_bc@uyai.org
Website:	uyai.org
Implementation:	Start-up / Partial
Staff:	Supervisors (1); Outreach Workers (0); Violence Interrupters (2); Hospital Responders (0)
NYPD Precinct(s):	44th
City Council Member District(s):	Melissa Mark-Viverito (8)
Adult residents living in poverty:
Residents 15-34 years of age:
NYCHA Communities:	Teller Avenue-East 166th Street, Claremont Rehab, and College Avenue-East 165th Street
Wrap-Around Service Partners:	Bronx Connect is unique in that all of its wrap-around services are funded internally. It also provides wrap-around services to other Cure Violence sites, such as Good Shepherd Services and Saving Our Streets (S.O.S.).