Conclusion

It is imperative that local businesses, elected leaders, community stakeholders and residents must work in collaboration with federal and local government agencies tasked with addressing and eradicating gun violence within our communities by offering the targeted population that are the main perpetrators of the gun violence a different way of life.  The businesses and employers can invest in the hiring of District residents by working as a team that can and will ultimately provide highly-trained skill workers that are seeking opportunities to remove themselves from the crime arena.  Supportive services, training and gainful employment can be a catalyst for change; based on our collaboration through the Jobs Not Guns Initiative, we have a valuable opportunity to decrease the perpetrators and victims of gun violence in our City.