$2 million federal grant for LiveFree OKC, Diversion Hub canceled by DOJ: What we know

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Organizers with violence intervention and diversionary programs in Oklahoma City have been left reeling after President Donald Trump's administration announced cancellation of funding awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice.

LiveFree OKC, a community violence intervention organization headquartered in northeast Oklahoma City, and Diversion Hub, a nonprofit offering stabilizing services to people navigating the criminal justice system, were expecting $2 million in federal grant funding over three years to expand violence prevention strategies.

But as of April 22, that grant has been terminated. Jess Eddy, who became CEO of LiveFree in January, said he was on a call with representatives from hundreds of organizations when the decision was announced.

Co-founded by local rapper/activist Jabee Williams at 1740 NE 23, LiveFree OKC began as a pilot program in the city's Ward 7, home to the city's historically and predominantly Black neighborhoods. The organization has been working for nearly two years to reduce gun violence by "intervening" in high-risk situations and providing a "PeaceTeam" to facilitate access to mental health support and resources.

The program even celebrated its first "Peace Needs" Conference in downtown Oklahoma City last fall, around the time the LiveFree staff were first told they would be recipients of the grant. Now, the organization faces a sudden and significant shortfall.

"It’s devastating, frankly," Eddy said. "We just hired and trained an amazing new group of PeaceMakers who are excited to work hard to stop gun violence — to do something positive — in this city. To have the rug pulled out from under us like this, with no notice, is a real gut punch."

Related: DOJ cancels grants for gun-violence and addiction prevention, victim advocacy

Why did the Trump administration cancel the grants?

According to reporting by The Washington Post, the canceled grants to organizations nationwide were identified as not aligning with the priorities of the Trump administration.

"This Department of Justice is focused on prosecuting criminals, getting illegal drugs off of the streets, and protecting American institutions from toxic DEI and sanctuary city policies," Chad Gilmartin, a Justice Department spokesperson, said in a statement on April 23, referring to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as cities with policies of protecting undocumented immigrants from federal attempts at deportation.

"Discretionary funds that are no longer aligned with the administration’s priorities are subject to review and reallocation," Gilmartin said.

Maureen Henneberg, acting head of the Office of Justice Programs, said in a memo cited by The Washington Post that funding would instead be repurposed to better support what the administration considered most important, such as "combating violent crime," "protecting victims of trafficking and sexual assault" and "protecting American children."

The $2 million grant also would have supported more holistic social services at the local Diversion Hub, currently at 220 NW 10. A grant-funded Community Navigator was gathering community feedback on violence reduction to help increase access to the Hub's wide range of programs, including case management, mental health resources, housing assistance and recovery support.

Grant cancellations lead to confusion

Diversion Hub Executive Director Meagan Taylor confirmed in an email to The Oklahoman on April 23 that the abrupt cancellation of the grant had caused some immediate confusion at her organization as well.

"As you can imagine, it has been a wild and very tough week," Taylor said. "We are devastated about the termination of this funding from the DOJ; however, we will work diligently to continue supporting those impacted by the criminal legal system."

More on Diversion Hub: A court diversion program saved his life. Now he guides others through the program

Eddy also said that, while the decision was disheartening, he and the LiveFree staff were going to persist despite the difficulties.

"Everyone at LiveFree has overcome adversity before, and we are going to overcome this," Eddy said. "Every day, our PeaceMakers are working tirelessly to eliminate gun violence in this city. I believe this work is something to value, to protect, and to support."

But in order to maintain the level of services LiveFree provides, Eddy said they are going to need some help. He encouraged supporters to donate directly to the organization via the "support" page on LiveFree OKC's website.

"Eliminating gun violence is too important," Eddy said. "We are calling on our friends and family, our neighborhoods and communities, our churches and fellow organizations, and the city of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County — to help us now."