HAVI TRAINING FACULTY

Christine Goggins

Lead Violence Recovery Specialist, UChicago Medicine
Chicago, IL

Christine Goggins, MFA, LSW has spent the past 17 years advocating for Chicago residents impacted by intentional violence. Her dedication to this work is deeply personal—Christine experienced the devastating impact of gun violence when her best friend, Blair Holt, was shot and killed on a Chicago Transit Authority bus in 2007. Through her work, she has engaged with the root causes of gun violence and maintains a strong interest in addressing housing insecurity as a critical solution to this issue in the community. Christine is also currently in the process of developing her own medical respite program. 

Christine holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Poetry) from Columbia College Chicago and a second master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, with a focus on trauma response, from The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. She is a licensed social worker. Additionally, Christine is a graduate of the 2022-2023 cohort of the Obama Foundation Scholars Program. 

In her current role at UChicago Medicine as the Lead Violence Recovery Specialist, Christine trains both new and existing staff in providing trauma-informed care, focusing on crisis intervention and intensive case management for patients and families. She also leads the technical training and assistance efforts that support the development of emerging hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) across the nation. 

Shamika Gumes

Survivor Support Coordinator, Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Boston, MA

Shamika Gumes has over 18 years of experience working in the Emergency Department at one of Boston’s trauma centers and an additional year on a neighborhood trauma response team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health from Bridgewater State University and is trained in psychological first aid.

Shamika currently serves as a Survivor Support Coordinator at the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in Boston, MA. In this role, she meets with family members of homicide victims within the first 24 to 48 hours to conduct intake assessments and provide both practical and emotional support. She helps families navigate Victim Compensation, connect with necessary resources, and advocates on their behalf to ensure that their loved ones are laid to rest with dignity and respect, alleviating any added stress or burdens during an incredibly difficult time.

Lawrence Goshon

Violence Prevention Professional, Denver Youth Programs -AIM (At-Risk Intervention and Mentoring) 
Denver, CO

Lawrence Goshon, a Denver, CO native, began his journey in street life during his early teenage years. At just 15 years old, he was charged as an adult, convicted of aggravated robbery, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Upon his release, Lawrence, committed to the change process, began educating himself. Applying his skill of data analysis, Lawrence began working in the nonprofit sector, focusing on helping the homeless through his role of managing, analyzing, and interpreting data within the Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS).  

Motivated by the desire to give back to the community he felt like he had taken from, Lawrence shifted his focus to youth mentoring. He began working for GRASP in 2008, focusing on Aurora’s Gang Initiative Impact Program. The goal is to help individuals impacted by gang culture and the culture of violence navigate the associated traumas by beginning the healing journey and living a better quality of life. He now works with Denver’s AIM program as a Violence Prevention Professional and dedicates his life to guiding young people, sharing his experiences, and instilling important life lessons. Lawrence believes that restoring youth integrity begins with reintroducing respect, values, and a sense of community. "If we can't rely on our youth, we have no future," he says, underscoring his deep commitment to this mission. 

Dr. Ramon E. Gist

Director of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Brooklyn, NY

Ramon E. Gist MD FAAP is a dedicated pediatric critical care physician and community advocate with a passion for academic excellence and service. After completing his pediatric critical care fellowship, Dr. Gist returned to his roots in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, to begin his career at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. As the Director of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, he successfully led the unit through a transformation, upgrading it from an outdated open unit to a modern, state-of-the-art facility.

Dr. Gist’s experiences during Hurricane Sandy inspired him to pursue additional training in disaster medicine, and he has since become a recognized expert in disaster management and academic international medicine. His expertise is reflected in numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and national and international teaching opportunities.

As an assistant professor of pediatrics and community health sciences, Dr. Gist is committed to mentoring medical students, residents, fellows, and public health students. He has received awards for his dedication to pipeline programs that support college and high school students. Dr. Gist is also an active participant in J.E.D.I (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) initiatives both on campus and in professional medical societies.

In line with his commitment to community service, Dr. Gist serves as a clinical advisor for the Kings Against Violence Initiative, a Brooklyn-based violence intervention and prevention program. He has led workflow development and designed public health and advocacy educational experiences for diverse learners.

Leveraging his academic expertise, Dr. Gist also founded REG Medical PLLC, a company that advises private and governmental entities on developing programs aimed at building community resilience and adaptability, particularly for marginalized populations.

Evin Johnson

Violence Prevention Professional, UC Davis Wraparound Program
Sacramento, CA

Evin Johnson is a father of two and the CEO of BreakNBread LLC, a company that provides trauma-informed prevention and intervention services to youth, parents, and communities. 

Before starting his own business, Evin spent eight years coaching football in the South Sacramento community with the Valley High Vikings and Luther Burbank Titans Pop Warner and high school programs. 

Evin's professional journey began as a participant in Kaiser Permanente's Sacramento Violence Intervention Program, where he worked as a case manager for youth who were violently injured. He was later selected to serve on a steering committee for the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to help develop a request for proposals (RFP) for a community and law enforcement relations grant. 

Evin has also facilitated life skills and anger management groups at the Youth Detention Facility and case-managed youth transitioning from custody back into the community. Additionally, he has worked with the Meadowview Black Childhood Legacy Campaign and the Healing The Hood program as a youth case manager. He also served as an instructor for the Men's Leadership Academy at John Still Middle School. 

Currently, Evin works as a Violence Prevention Professional (VPP) at the UC Davis Wraparound Program, where he continues to uplift and support his community through his work. 

Bro. Kelvin X. LoveJoy

Director of Community Organizing and Outreach, Blue Hills Civic Association
Hartford, CT

Bro. Kelvin X. LoveJoy, affectionately known as Bro. LoveJoy, is a lifelong resident of Hartford, CT, with over 30 years of experience in youth, family, and community development. As the Director of Community Organizing and Outreach at the Blue Hills Civic Association, he has led numerous initiatives focused on community growth, safety, and resilience, creating lasting change in Hartford's most vulnerable neighborhoods.

Bro. LoveJoy has also served in key roles such as Community Schools Director at Weaver High School, Director of the Youth Development Mobilization Initiative, and Crisis Intervention Specialist and CVI trainer with the Bro. Carl Hardrick Institute for Youth Development and Violence Prevention. His work spans multiple schools and nonprofits, including the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Catholic Charities, and the Boys and Girls Club, where he has provided vital support to youth and families.

A Springfield College alumnus with a focus on Human Services, Bro. LoveJoy is deeply committed to education, personal development, and community healing. Beyond his professional work, he is a devoted husband, father of four, entrepreneur, and community activist, driven by a deep love for Hartford and a passion for uplifting its people.

Through his work in community violence intervention and service, Bro. LoveJoy continues to inspire positive change, fostering hope, healing, and unity for a brighter future in Hartford and beyond.

Jacqueline Kendrick

Clinical Project Manager, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Violence Intervention Program
Philadelphia, PA

Jacqueline Kendrick, LCSW serves as the Clinical Project Manager for CHOP’s Violence Intervention Program (VIP) which provides trauma-informed case management services to violently injured youth and their families. Throughout her career, Jackie has worked extensively with children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of community and site based settings. She has worked with child welfare agencies, community outreach and training, behavioral health, early intervention, and autism services.

Jackie received her Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a minor in Disability Studies from the University of Delaware and her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. During her time at Columbia, her focus was on advanced clinical practice with a concentration in health, mental health, and disabilities.

Nicky MacCallum

Healing Director, Youth ALIVE!
Oakland, CA

Nicky MacCallum is the founder of Allies 4 Equity, a training and consultation organization dedicated to promoting trauma-informed, healing-centered care in service delivery and provider wellness. With a deep commitment to survivor-centered practices, she serves on the Department of Justice Survivor Centered Action Team. Nicky is also a faculty member with the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI), where she founded and co-chaired the HAVI Mental Health Working Group (formerly NNHVIP) for over a decade. 

With more than twelve years of experience as the Healing Director at Youth ALIVE!, a violence prevention, intervention, and healing organization in Oakland, CA, Nicky brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Nationally Certified Counselor, and CAMFT Certified Clinical Supervisor. Throughout her 30+ years in the field, Nicky has collaborated across a wide range of systems, including victims of crime services, child protective services, family reunification, juvenile justice, community mental health, foster care, school-based programs, and community violence intervention. 

Tre Nowaczynski

Lead Pediatric Specialist, Violence Recovery Program at University of Chicago Medicine
Chicago, IL

Tre Nowaczynski graduated from the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice in 2021, with a focus on trauma-responsive care and abolitionist theory. After graduating, Tre further developed clinical skills in trauma-focused care while working with Healing Hurt People Chicago, supporting high-acuity patients recovering from gun violence. 

Currently, Tre serves as the Lead Pediatric Specialist in the Violence Recovery Program at University of Chicago Medicine. In addition, they act as the liaison between the Violence Recovery Program and Pritzker Medical School’s Interprofessional Education Program, and co-chair the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention’s (HAVI) Pediatric Working Group. 

Driven by an abolitionist framework, Tre is dedicated to serving families and communities, with a focus on dreaming and building a better world each day. 

Carol Olson

Associate Director, VCU Injury and Violence Prevention Programs 
Richmond, VA

Carol Olson, MA, LPC, CSAC– currently supervises the VCU Injury and Violence Prevention Programs array under the VCHHS Trauma Service Line. These programs are hospital-based and community-integrated and serve across crisis response, intervention, recovery, and prevention. Her focus areas are community violence, sexual, domestic, intimate partner, dating, and trafficking violence, counseling, falls, distracted driving, motor vehicle crashes, and substance abuse. She has over 20 years of experience in sexual violence, d/ipv, and stalking program development; leading response and advocacy teams in two of the largest service areas in Virginia; which included multiple rural counties. She has served in executive leadership roles in local, regional, state-wide, and national organizations developing programs, designing policy, and training effective teams. She has developed and led coalition building. She is a liaison with the Center for Critical Care Education on collaborative projects and funding on training EMS providers on incorporating training on the intersection of d/ipv, mental health, and substance abuse and serves as PI on specialized grant funded projects. Olson is licensed in the state of Virginia and certified in substance abuse with expertise in screening, response, and treatment. She is trained in Motivational Interviewing and is a certified Mental Health Crisis responder. 

John Torres

Deputy Director, Youth ALIVE!
Oakland, CA

John Torres has been a leader in gang intervention and street outreach efforts in the Bay Area for over 25 years, first in San Francisco, where he led the City’s Department of Children Youth and Family’s Community Response Network (CRN) Initiative and worked at various community based organizations in the Mission District such as the Real Alternatives Program (RAP), Community Bridges Beacon and Arriba Juntos.   and since 2009, at Youth ALIVE!. As Associate Director, John oversees and supports the Intervention and Healing Departments that include the following programs: Caught in the Crossfire, Pathways, Relocation, Violence Interruption, Counseling and the Khadafy Washington Project.  Additionally, John supervises Youth ALIVE!’s Program Support Manager who is responsible for all agency data collection, reporting and evaluation efforts.  John is responsible for frontline strategy and the assessment of our organization at large. He is a crucial ear and a trusted voice for both frontline staff, management and city partners.

John received a B.A. from San Francisco State University in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling from the California Institute of Integral Studies.  In May 2022, John became a fully Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and continues to provide therapy to Youth ALIVE clients.  John has presented at several public forums such as the The California Wellness Foundation’s Violence Prevention Conference, the National Network of Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (NNHVIP) conference, Healing Justice Alliance Conference, Boys and Girls Club Gang Symposiums, San Francisco’s Public Defender’s Juvenile Justice Conference, and organized and co-facilitated the On The Frontlines Conference in San Francisco.

Johnnie Williams

Executive Director, Denver Youth Programs, GRASP
Denver, CO

Johnnie Williams joined GRASP in July 2008 and has over 25 years of experience working with youth in the community by supplying constructive alternatives to gangs and other destructive activities. Some of Johnnie’s other duties at GRASP are facilitating support groups and healing circles, managing a black and brown unity grant, managing the outreach team for a 2 million dollar OJJDP grant and managing a hospital based intervention program. He is actively involved in several non-profit organizations within the community that focus primarily on educating teenagers on gaining and preserving self- respect, finding a positive purpose in life, learning to be more responsible, learning to make good choices as well as becoming community contributors and future role models. 

Johnnie is skilled in crisis intervention, group facilitation, child abuse prevention, life skills, building communities, violence prevention, alcohol, and drug counseling, eventually becoming a criminal justice specialist and addiction counselor. Johnnie was instrumental in developing successful program curriculums and group activities for Faces (Family advocacy Care Education and Support), Shaka Franklin foundation, GRASP and The Gilliam youth program clients that contributed to the increased success rate for these organizations.  Johnnie also has exceptional skills in overall event management, coordination, marketing, public relations, financial management, and security implementation for the non-profit, local government and private sectors. 

Johnnie is a founder for the Violence Prevention Initiative (Peace-N-The Streets) and has collaborated with organizations including YouthRoots, Tony Grampsas Youth Services, Denver Foundation, Beehive Production, G.O.A.L. Academy, United Way, and Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center. He is the recipient of “The Citizen Award” from the Martin Luther King Day Commission, The Conflict Resolution Award from The University of Denver, and the Denver Foundation’s Swanee Hunt Individual Leadership Award. 

Mr. Williams has an extensive background working with gangs on the West and South sides of Chicago, IL As well as Gangs in Denver.  He published “Gangs From The Cradle To The Grave” in 2003. 

Given his extensive and varied experience, Johnnie quickly recognized the importance of working with the whole family when treating youth.  With this in mind he developed a curriculum to educate young people about taking responsibility for their actions. This curriculum helps youth to see which choices they have made in their lives that may have hurt their future; it also promotes healthy parenting and family support. However there is no greater reward for the work that he does than to see one of the youth that he has work with change their life for the better. 

Robert Wright

Clinical Supervisor, IVYY Project at Grady Health System
Atlanta, GA

Robert Wright currently serves as the Clinical Supervisor for the IVYY Project at Grady Health System, leading a team of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Specialists.

Robert holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Georgia and is continuing his education in the Master in the Study of Law program at the same institution. He also holds graduate certificates in Non-Profit Management and Leadership, as well as in Substance Abuse Counseling, and is pursuing a professional certificate in Restorative Justice Facilitation from the University of San Diego.

His professional experience includes serving as a Resident Therapist at the Training and Counseling Center at St. Luke’s and as a Counselor at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, where he facilitated reentry programs, GED preparation, and conflict resolution for incarcerated individuals. Robert also facilitates anger management groups as a contractor for the Fulton and Clayton County Juvenile Courts.

Certified as a Violence Prevention Professional (VPP) through the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI), Robert holds additional certifications in Crisis Intervention and Cognitively Based Compassion Training. He is a member of the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Mental Health Advisory Group for 2024-2025, where he contributes to advancing mental health and violence prevention efforts in the community.

Dr. Tolulope Sonuyi

Health/Medical Director, DLIVE
Detroit, MI

Dr. Tolulope Sonuyi, a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School, is an Emergency Medicine physician and Assistant Professor at the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University. As a physician at Sinai-Grace Hospital, he has witnessed firsthand the health disparities affecting communities and believes in the power of the healthcare system to address these inequities.

Driven by a commitment to improving community health, Dr. Sonuyi founded the Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday (DLIVE) program, a health-centered violence intervention initiative. DLIVE focuses on reducing the impact of community violence by providing trauma-informed care and improving health outcomes for young adults affected by violence. As the Director of DLIVE, Dr. Sonuyi leads efforts to address the cycle of violence and premature death in Detroit's young adult population.

Dr. Sonuyi’s work has earned widespread recognition, including the Crain’s Health Hero Award, the Wayne State University Spirit of Community Award, and the Emergency Medicine Physician of the Year award from the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians (MCEP). His dedication to both medicine and community welfare continues to inspire positive change in Detroit.