SNUG

Program Overview

SNUG is simply “GUNS” spelled backwards, meant to show how we can reverse things that are happening in our community. Violence can result in emotional trauma. If left untreated, it could have lasting effects on the health and well-being of individuals, families and entire communities.

What is SNUG?

NYS SNUG Outreach (SNUG) is an evidence-based violence reduction initiative that was first established in New York State in 2009. The program engages the highest-risk individuals who are causing violence in communities with high rates of violent crime, addresses the issues that may be causing high-risk individuals to engage in gun violence, and educates the community on how violence is spread. SNUG prioritizes those who are most at risk of being impacted by gun violence.

Our Team and How We Approach the Work

We employ Street Outreach Workers who are seen as credible messengers by the community. This staff lives in the communities in which they serve, have lived experience and leverage their community ties to do this important work. The SNUG team engages community residents, businesses, religious organizations and clergy and various community-based organizations to implement coordinated strategies to reduce and prevent shootings and killings. We also create special events and gatherings to share information, work in solidarity together and assist the community 

We are Part of a Statewide Effort

The Division of Criminal and Justice Services (DCJS) administers SNUG in 14 sites across New York State: Albany, Bronx, Poughkeepsie, Buffalo, Rochester, Hempstead, Syracuse, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Troy, Utica, Wyandanch, Yonkers and Mt. Vernon.

SNUG works to reduce shootings and save lives by:

• Responding to shootings to prevent retaliation through mediation of conflicts and disputes
• Mentoring high-risk youth and connect them with job training, education and other opportunities
• Assist family members of those who have been injured or killed
• Organizing marches and other events to show the community’s stand against violence
• Engaging neighbors through events and projects, such as job fairs and community gardens

Social Work Program connects individuals and families to services and supports their progress. 

• Emotional support for individuals and families who have been affected by violence
• Assistance with processing trauma and feelings that might be holding you back
• Help readjusting to daily life after experiencing a frightening event
• Assistance to families with referrals to more long term services, Office of Victim Assistance applications and access to additional community based services as needed

SNUG can help victims of crime by applying for assistance from the Office of Victim Services. They may be able to help pay for: 

• Medical and counseling bills
• Personal property essentials to someone’s health, welfare and safety
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Moving expenses and other costs as long as the expenses are directly related to the crime

What Sets SNUG Apart

Comprehensive training, site visits and support from DCJS set SNUG apart from other community-based violence interruption programs across the state and country. New staff must complete 40 hours of training and new supervisors complete 32 hours of management training. All staff must also complete 40 hours of professional development training annually. This ongoing training and support help ensure that the program operates consistently across all SNUG sites despite being operated by different community-based organizations.