Citation

Grekul J. J. Gang Res. 2011; 18(2): 23-45.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, National Gang Crime Research Center)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In existence for over 6 years, the Community Solution to Gang Violence (CSGV) is a community-based initiative in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada that includes over 30 organizations working together on a strategic approach to prevent youth gang involvement. As a follow-up to an earlier article, this paper explores the viability of CSGV's future by assessing its collective efficacy and issues relating to sustainability by drawing on documents and records produced by the CSGV project manager and interviews with working group members. CSGV members continue to express a commitment to the initiative's objectives, but the scope of the collaborative has reached a point where change may be necessary in order to access the kinds of funds necessary to sustain its momentum. Using the four "pillars" of the collaborative, knowledge translation, engaged network, community awareness and support from community leaders and funders, this paper provides a look at the collective efficacy of CSGV including a discussion of some of its successes and the challenges it faces, through the insights of a sample of its members. The paper concludes with speculation on the sustainability of the collaborative.