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Portsmouth United recap of Peace Week, new grant cycle and expansion of violence-interruption hires
Summary
Portsmouth United said Peace Week drew partners across the city, announced a tiered FY26 grant cycle (May 1–15) and plans to hire six additional violence interrupters — reaching a goal of eight — with training and documentation requirements to support program evaluation and future funding.
Ms. Matthews, representing Portsmouth United, opened the task force’s Portsmouth United update by summarizing Peace Week activities and announcing two program changes: a tiered FY26 grant application and a planned expansion of the city’s violence-interruption staff.
The grant application period will open May 1 and run through May 15. Portsmouth United described three funding tiers: a Tier 1 “growing organizations” tier (cap: $25,000), a Tier 2 “emerging organizations” tier (cap: $50,000) and a Tier 3 “thriving organizations” tier (cap: $100,000). Portsmouth United said the awards are tiered by organization filing status and documentation requirements.
The organization also described hiring to expand its violence-interruption program. “We are hiring six additional violence interrupters,” Ms. Matthews said, and later confirmed the program’s target is a total of eight interrupters. She told the task force that interview panels had completed most rounds, with “eight” interviewed to date and three more interviews scheduled, and that the goal was to finalize hiring decisions by May 1 so new hires could begin training and onboarding before the summer.
Portsmouth United said hires will complete a written sample and receive layered training: an initial training by a contractor who previously worked with Cities United and a follow-up immersive visit to an established program in another city (candidates discussed included New York or St. Louis). Marcus McAllister was named as the consultant who provided a quote to lead initial training.
Portsmouth United credited more than 20 partner organizations for Peace Week activities and said the week included leadership retreats, fitness camps, arts activities and family-oriented open houses. The presentation highlighted youth engagement goals and said the organization will try to increase events in the Churchland area and add adult programming.
The task force discussed documentation and reporting requirements: Portsmouth United said it will require a writing sample from interrupter candidates and will provide training on recordkeeping so the program can document outcomes and support continued funding.
Looking ahead, Portsmouth United asked the task force to help publicize the May grant window and to support outreach that reaches organizations that may not yet be on the city’s radar.
