Our work helps ideologically motivated individuals to change their behaviors and mindsets, reject hate and violence, and embrace more democratic and pluralistic ways of thinking and acting.
Needs analysis: Potential gaps in the U.S.
The contemporary challenges of radicalization and extremism that eventually manifest as unimaginable violence in our communities are multi-faceted, complex, far-reaching, and rapidly evolving. With the scope of this problem ranging from far right to Islamist extremism, from QAnon conspiracy to Incel ideology, violent extremist ideas just as easily sprout, take root, and thrive on the dark web as they do at rural militia training camps. Evidence suggests the growing presence of violent extremism in the US is actively outpacing available programming. Moreover, the highly securitized, threat-focused nature of current US interventions is ineffective and one-on-one programs are inefficient.
To address violent extremism in the U.S., we need an innovative model that engages communities and influential figures in the lives of at-risk or already radicalized individuals.
Whether we bemoan the slow death of democracy or startle at the recurring sudden and acute threats to national security, it is clear that policy and programming, that seeks to counter and prevent violent extremism in the United States, is in dire need of bold, new ideas and rapidly scalable solutions.