Voices Against Violence (VAV) grew out of a street outreach initiative by Richard Carrington, Sr. working with Pittsburgh gang members in 1992. It became one of the first and foremost anti-violence organizations in Pittsburgh, pioneering programs in Street Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Restorative Justice, and Reparative Practices. In addition to actively leading this group, which has evolved to become a critical community resource, Richard serves as an adviser and consultant to numerous youth and violence-prevention related groups, including Pittsburgh Public School District, the Coalition Against Violence, South Pittsburgh Peacemakers, and Pittsburgh’s Citizen Police Review Board.

Since 1997, this community-focused organization has developed and implemented numerous anti-violence programs, conducted conflict mediation and resolution, created school-based programs, facilitated parent groups, managed summer employment programs, and cultivated other leaders who have since branched off to start their own programs. In addition, each summer for over twenty years, VAV hosts a free camp for area youth ages 4 to 14.