The Southwest Organizing Project’s (SWOP) Community Violence Intervention team, Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), continues to work closely with longtime SWOP member institution, St. Clare of Montefalco, to host weekly open gyms that create consistent, welcoming spaces for community members to gather. Held every Tuesday and Saturday, these open gyms offer youth, families, and older adults a place to move, connect, and simply exist together outside of the pressures that often shape daily life in the neighborhood.

These open gyms are intentionally designed to be accessible to everyone. Community members drop in to play basketball, volleyball, and other recreational games, or to just spend time with neighbors in a safe, supervised environment. For young people, the gym becomes a space to build confidence, release energy, and form positive relationships. For adults and elders, it’s an opportunity to stay active, reconnect with the community, and remain visible and engaged in shared spaces.

Beyond recreation, the open gyms also serve as an important point of connection to resources. CP4P staff are present to build relationships and share information about services and supports available to individuals and families, ranging from violence prevention and mental health resources to workforce and community programs. These conversations happen naturally — on the sidelines of a game or between activities — making it easier for people to ask questions and access support without stigma.

By maintaining these open gyms week after week, CP4P and St. Clare of Montefalco demonstrate the importance of consistency in community violence prevention. Creating safe, reliable spaces where people of all ages feel welcome helps strengthen relationships, build trust, and reinforce the idea that safety is something created together.