Harris County has just opened a new violence prevention center to address the root causes of violence in Houston’s historically high-crime Cypress Station community.
Gun Violence: A National Crisis
Nationwide, gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and teens in the U.S.. Overall, an estimated 125 Americans die every day from gun-related incidents.
A Community-Based Solution
Led by Harris County Public Health, several county partners hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday to inaugurate the new Relentless Interrupters Serving Everyone (RISE) Empowerment Center, located at 16940 Ella Blvd., Suite B-107, Houston, TX 77090. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m Monday through Friday. It will be fully open once they officially finisn the process of hiring two on-site staff.
Survivor-Led Leadership
“I’ve been shot 17 times, three different incidents, three different states,” said the new RISE Empowerment Center supervisor.
“Two friends were shot 70-something times right a mile from this location.”
Drawing from his own experiences as a survivor of gun violence and trauma, the supervisor welcomed everyone to be heard and helped.
“What brings me to this work is compassion for the things I’ve been through and advocating for people who’ve been in my situation,” he said. “We are relentless interrupters [of violence] who serve everyone.”
Services and Programs at RISE
The RISE center offers a range of anti-violence social services and programs, including training workshops, trauma support, healing programs, and job assistance. A computer lab, gym, recording studio, mindfulness room, kitchen, and two conference rooms are also available to the community.
The RISE program began in 2022 as a community-based solution to reduce gun violence through a public health approach that operates outside of and complements law enforcement efforts. Currently, the RISE team includes around 10 to 15 outreach staff, with two on-site staff members ready to welcome the public.
Sheriff Gonzalez: “Law Enforcement Can’t Do It Alone”
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez praised violence interruption programs like RISE, calling them “visionary” and noting that they meet people where they are.
“Law enforcement can’t do it alone,” Gonzalez said. “Law enforcement for too long has been on the front lines of three important issues: mental illness, addiction, and poverty. We need supporters and everyone at the table.”
He added: “We can’t incarcerate our way out of every issue in society. We need outreach, mental health care, trauma counseling, and job readiness programs—exactly what the RISE Center is offering right here in the community.”
Gonzalez emphasized that this approach aligns with the county’s holistic strategy.
“I’m grateful that we now have a place in RISE where we can make referrals, stop by, and visit the community in a supportive way,” he said.
A High-Crime Community Linked with Resources
“Cypress Station has historically been a high-crime area in Harris County. Our residents have experienced far too much trauma, too much violence, and for far too long, too little access to support,” Gonzalez added. “The RISE center is more than just a building; it’s a hub of opportunity—a place where young people and adults affected by violence, whether as victims or at risk of becoming offenders, can find resources and real second, fourth, and fifth chances.”
Commissioner Ellis Highlights Proven Success
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis also spoke at the opening ceremony.
“This space will serve as a hub for those seeking violence prevention services,” Ellis said. “This work is just one key piece in a broader effort to address systemic inequalities that fuel cycles of violence.”
He cited data showing the effectiveness of similar violence interruption programs across the country:
- Four years after introducing Save Our Streets in the South Bronx, the number of shooting victims decreased by 63%.
- In Richmond, California, Operation Peacemaker led to a 55% reduction in annual homicides by firearms and a 43% decrease in annual assaults by firearms.
- In Cherry Hill, Baltimore, Maryland, homicides dropped by 56% and nonfatal shootings by 34% just 18 months after implementing a violence interruption program.
Since the hospital-based violence interruption programs began in 2022, Harris County’s outreach specialists have prevented at least 85 shootings.
A Commitment to Community Safety
“Programs like RISE are so important,” Ellis emphasized. “They reduce the likelihood of gun violence by linking people to the services that have worked—and will help nurture and sustain the connections that keep people away from violence.”
“Through the work of these programs, we’ve seen a decrease in homicides in Harris County over the last four years,” he said. “It’s proven that when we invest in innovation, we can save lives and taxpayer dollars. While the state of Texas may refuse to do so, we are not refusing to do so in Harris County.”
A Vision for the Future
“The groundbreaking work we are doing today is part of a larger vision that imagines law enforcement agencies responding to violent crimes—not mental health emergencies—while providing access to wraparound support to individuals experiencing a crisis. We want every Harris County resident to feel safe in their neighborhoods,” Ellis added.
Harris County has committed nearly $1.6 billion to justice and public safety, the largest allocation in the county’s history. Most of that funding goes to traditional law enforcement, but leaders emphasized that innovative solutions like the RISE Empowerment Center are critical to building safer, healthier communities.
For more news on Harris County, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.