Building Community Safety from Within: Mark Rivers on Empowering Youth and Partnerships at Community Passageways
Last week on a special 100 Days of Action episode of The Day with Trae, host Trae Holiday interviewed Mark Rivers, the Deputy Director of Community Safety at Community Passageways. He shared insights about his role and the organization's impactful work. Rivers, who has been with Community Passageways for nearly a year, leads the community violence prevention efforts, overseeing both the critical incident responders and outreach teams. These teams are on the front lines, showing up to scenes of violence to support victims and families, providing essential resources, and building relationships to prevent future incidents.
Rivers emphasized the importance of genuine, caring engagement when supporting communities in crisis. He noted that many people do not ask for help, so approaching them with empathy and understanding is vital. Rivers and his team often assist with practical needs—such as groceries or hospital visits—while working to bring a sense of normalcy and stability to affected individuals. He highlighted that the success of their work lies in the relationships they build with the community. "It's the relationships," Rivers said, stressing the importance of trust and authenticity, especially when dealing with the youth.
Addressing the growing needs within the community, Rivers shared that the landscape has significantly changed from when he was growing up. He pointed to the influence of social media and other factors that have intensified community challenges. To meet these increasing needs, Community Passageways relies on a network of partnerships with other local organizations, government entities, schools, and funders, creating an ecosystem that supports and uplifts at-risk youth and their families.
Rivers also discussed the ongoing "100 Days of Action" initiative, which involves extending work hours and developing innovative approaches, such as peace camps, to offer young people a break from their challenging environments. The initiative aims to foster peace and prevent violence through creative and sustained community engagement.
The conversation concluded with Rivers reflecting on his personal connection to the work, underscoring how his own experiences growing up in the community fuel his passion for ensuring that today’s youth have someone to turn to. He encourages community members to get involved, support the initiatives, or simply stop by their service center to see the work in action. Rivers' message is clear: the work of community safety is a collective effort that requires dedication, authenticity, and a deep commitment to serving with heart.
For more information on the 100 Days of Action campaign visit kingcounty.gov.
Tune into The Day With Trae this week at 11am for insightful discussions addressing gun violence in our communities.
