The Relentless School Nurse: A Summer Without Homicides, But a Future at Risk

Camden, New Jersey, achieved a milestone: a summer with zero homicides for the first time in 50 years. This isn’t just a statistic; it is proof that when community-based programs, public health initiatives, and community policing work together, real change is possible. As highlighted in What Camden’s homicide‑free summer reveals about community safety and health outcomes, this achievement shows that the power of relationships, trusted community voices, and safe youth spaces are investments in prevention. Kaitlin Washburn’s article, published by the Association of Healthcare Journalists, inspired me, as a school nurse and advocate, to examine what’s working, what’s at risk, and why we must fight to protect and expand the programs that keep our children safe.

But there’s a catch: the very programs that made this zero‑homicide summer possible are now threatened by federal funding cuts. If we don’t act, the progress Camden and other cities have fought decades to achieve could unravel—and our children will pay the price.

I am a school nurse in Camden City Schools and a member of Brady United Against Gun Violence’s This Is Our Lane Advisory Council. I’ve seen firsthand how Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs transform neighborhoods. Programs like Cure4Camden bring violence interrupters, mentors, and community groups together to mediate conflicts before they escalate. Connecting at-risk youth to essential resources can shift norms that perpetuate violence.

School safety begins long before a student walks through the door—community safety is the foundation.

In April 2025, the Trump administration rescinded approximately $158 million in CVI grants, part of broader cuts exceeding $800 million from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. On top of that, nearly $1 billion in school-based mental health funding authorized under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was cut or redirected. Cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Fort Worth have already felt the impact: some programs closed, staff were laid off, and critical community services were disrupted. Camden, which just celebrated a zero‑homicide summer, could face similar risks if funding isn’t restored—jeopardizing the hard-won gains in youth safety and community trust.

To my colleagues, educators, parents, and advocates: raise your voice. Tell Congress to restore CVI and BSCA funding. Our children’s safety and our communities’ futures depend on it.

Next Steps: Take Action to Protect Our Kids and Communities

1. Tell Congress to Restore CVI and School-Based Mental Health Funding
   Advocate for federal funding that keeps children and communities safe: https://www.congress.gov/members

2. Support Brady United Against Gun Violence
   Donate or get involved with their End Family Fire program: https://www.bradyunited.org/take-action/donate-to-brady

3. Join Moms Demand Action
   Stand with a national network of parents and advocates: https://momsdemandaction.org/join/

4. Learn About Community Violence Intervention Programs
   Understand how CVI programs save lives and strengthen neighborhoods: https://everytownsupportfund.org/what-is-cvi-community-violence-intervention-programs-practitioners/