History
Voices Against Violence (VAV) grew out of a street outreach initiative by Richard Carrington, Sr. working with Pittsburgh gang members in 1992. The organization was formally established in 1995 in response to a growing need for holistic community-based programs that serve youth involved with gangs, drugs, and guns in South Pittsburgh. Voices Against Violence became one of the first and foremost anti-violence organizations in Pittsburgh, pioneering programs in Street Mediation, Conflict Resolution, and Restorative Justice Practices. Voices Against Violence is a successful, non-profit organization using The Pittsburgh Contingency, a registered 501c3, as its official, audited, fiscal conduit.
Mission
The mission of Voices Against Violence is to strategically and proactively reduce interpersonal conflict among youth through activities focused on prevention and diversion. VAV serves male and female youth ages 4 to 24 residing in South Pittsburgh communities. Youth are predominantly from Beltzhoover, Allentown, Arlington, Carrick, Knoxville, and Mt. Oliver, but also include Beechview, Bon, Air, Brookline, Mt. Washington, Overbrook, and the Southside. Program participants are economically and socially under-served, with the majority meeting the eligibility criteria to qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. Youth come to Voices Against Violence in a variety of ways. Some are mandated to the program by local magistrates or probation officers, there are school or agency referrals, and others learn about the organization from family, friends, or community members.
Over the last 25+ years, this grassroots, community-focused organization has developed and implemented a wide variety of programming to serve area youth including numerous anti-violence and restorative justice programs, street violence intervention, conflict mediation and resolution, school-based retention programs, as well as facilitated parent groups, managed summer employment programs, and cultivated other leaders who have since branched off to start their own programs. Since 1995, Voices Against Violence also hosts a free summer camp for area youth ages 4 to 14.
Richard Carrington, Sr.
Leadership
Richard Carrington, Sr., the Founder and Executive Director of Voices Against Violence (VAV), grew up in the Beltzhoover neighborhood of Pittsburgh and is the father of ten children through marriage, adoption, and fostering.
Mr. Carrington is a decorated disabled veteran who proudly served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne. He predominantly spent his last five years of military service as an instructor at the United States Military Intelligence School in Ft. Devens, MA. This experienced leader was also a volunteer who was instrumental in organizing relief efforts with the Red Cross in some of the poorest and hardest hit areas of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
He attended various universities earning degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University and completing graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to actively leading Voices Against Violence, which has evolved to become a critical community resource, Richard serves as an advisor and consultant to numerous youth and violence-prevention related groups, including Pittsburgh Public School District, the Coalition Against Violence, South Pittsburgh Peacemakers, Arlington Heights Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Pittsburgh’s Citizen Police Review Board.
Richard Carrington, Sr. has received numerous awards including the first-ever Gwendolyn J. Elliott Lifetime Achievement Award, the Center for Victims of Violent Crimes’ Peacemaker of the Year, and the Iron Cross Ministries’ Humanitarian Award. He was also a Coro Pittsburgh Fellow and later served on their Fellow Selection Committee for many years.