A violence prevention worker or outreach team member
A credible messenger or community leader
A nonprofit or NGO professional driving impact
A public safety professional committed to prevention
A community organizer or advocate seeking measurable results
Built for individuals and organizations, this program transforms real-world CVI challenges into a structured training model that emphasizes safety, risk mitigation, and accountability through scenario-based decision-making designed for maximum clarity, retention, and field application.
Need more than 50 seats: Email for quote
Regular price
Team Rate - Up to 15 seats
Team Rate - Up to 30 seats
Team Rate - Up to 50 seats
Anthony Clary and Clayton Marquez are the co-founders of Community 1ST and the creators of The CVI Playbook, a training model built on years of frontline community violence intervention (CVI) in Norfolk and Hampton Roads, Virginia. Leading the grassroots nonprofits Reck League and Guns Down Movement, they leverage their lived experience and deep local trust to bring structured, credible messenger strategies back to the neighborhoods where they were raised.
Their community-centered approach has yielded significant results, contributing to double-digit percentage reductions in crime, homicide, and violence within their target areas. To meet growing demand, they formalized their on-the-ground successes into a scalable framework. This system translates their practical, creative problem-solving into a teachable model for cities, organizations, and community leaders looking to replicate their impact.
Today, The CVI Playbook utilizes a five-tier approach to strengthen de-escalation, information coordination, and neighborhood revitalization. By addressing root causes and expanding access to local resources, Clary and Marquez aim to equip credible messengers with the tools needed to improve public safety and foster meaningful engagement across Virginia and beyond.
The Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Training Course is a practice-driven program built to equip professionals and organizations with the tools, strategies, and frameworks needed to reduce violence at the community level.
You’ll explore the root and systemic causes of violence while learning proven CVI models used in real-world prevention efforts. The course covers: Strategic violence-reduction planning, trust-building in high-risk areas, Trauma-informed intervention practices, Risk management and safety protocols, Effective collaboration with law enforcement and city stakeholders.
Unlike theory-heavy programs, this training focuses on real-world application. Through structured modules and scenario-based learning, you’ll build the confidence to make informed decisions in complex, high-risk environments while prioritizing safety, accountability, and community trust. Whether you're entering the field or advancing your expertise, this course provides a clear, structured path toward measurable impact and professional growth.
This course provides a certificate of completion and foundational CVI training. Certification recognition may vary by organization or jurisdiction.
No. This course is designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Yes. Organizations can enroll multiple team members for standardized CVI training.
“Before Community 1ST, it felt like nobody was out here unless something bad already happened. Now I see the team regularly, checking in and keeping things calm. Their presence makes the neighborhood feel more stable.”
Shameka - Youngs Park
“They don’t come in talking down to people; they come in listening. I’ve watched them stop arguments before they turned into something bigger, just by knowing the right people and how to talk to them.”
Lil Larry - Huntersville
“When tensions started rising on our block, Community 1ST stepped in early. They helped everybody cool off and kept it from becoming a situation that would’ve brought more harm to our community.”
Randell - Southside
“I respect that they’re consistent. They show up at night when it’s the most dangerous and when families feel the most worried. That matters, because that’s when things can go left fast.”
Mrs. Jackie - Norview
