A Prevention-First Movement Powered by One Family One Fight
Protecting Youth. Preventing Violence. Building Legacy.
Youth Over Guns™ is a youth development and violence prevention movement serving young people ages 12–25.
We believe violence prevention starts long before violence occurs. By investing in identity, leadership, emotional wellness, practical life skills, health, and access to opportunity, we help young people build the confidence, relationships, and support systems needed to thrive.
Youth Over Guns is more than a program. It is a movement creating stronger futures for young people and safer, more connected communities.
Rooted in Legacy
Youth Over Guns™ was created in honor of Samaad Z. Frazier.
After losing her son to gun violence, founder Kimberly Janel Banks transformed pain into purpose by building a movement centered on prevention, healing, youth development, and opportunity.
Through Youth Over Guns, One Family One Fight works to ensure young people receive meaningful support, preparation, and positive experiences before violence becomes part of their story.
Prevention Starts Upstream
Violence does not begin with a single moment. It is often connected to unmet needs, disconnection, limited opportunity, trauma, and a lack of positive support.
Our work is guided by the Upstream Experience Model™, an evidence-informed youth-development framework designed to strengthen five protective factors before crisis:
- Connection & Belonging
- Positive Identity & Purpose
- Agency & Competence
- Hope & Future Orientation
- Social & Emotional Capability
Every experience is designed to be relevant, interactive, reflective, and connected to real life.
The Six Youth Over Guns Pathways™
1. Leadership & Identity Development
Helping young people strengthen confidence, self-awareness, communication, accountability, decision-making, and leadership skills.
2. Financial Empowerment
Building practical knowledge related to budgeting, banking, saving, investing, credit, income, taxes, and long-term financial independence.
3. Career & Entrepreneurship Readiness
Preparing young people for employment, entrepreneurship, professional development, workplace expectations, and long-term career planning.
4. College & Future Readiness
Helping youth explore college, trades, training programs, independent living, and multiple pathways toward a successful future.
5. Healing & Emotional Wellness
Strengthening emotional intelligence, healthy coping strategies, resilience, relationships, self-expression, and personal growth.
6. Health, Wellness & Performance
Helping young people build healthy habits, physical and mental wellness, discipline, confidence, and the ability to perform at their best.
Supporting Every Stage of Development
Youth Over Guns™ provides age-responsive experiences across five developmental stages:
- EXPLORE | Ages 12–16: Discover identity, strengths, interests, and possibilities.
- PREPARE | Ages 15–18: Build practical skills and prepare for life after high school.
- EXPERIENCE | High School to Postsecondary: Apply learning through hands-on experiences and real-world exposure.
- POSITION | Ages 18–22+: Strengthen professional readiness, relationships, and access to opportunity.
- LAUNCH | Ages 21–25: Move forward with direction, confidence, and a plan for independence.
How the Movement Comes to Life
Youth Success Initiative™
A structured youth-development and mentoring initiative for students in grades 6–12 that integrates the Six Youth Over Guns Pathways™, the Upstream Experience Model™, mentoring, evaluation, and tangible tools for school, work, college, and life.
Signature Experiences
Interactive experiences that use movement, discussion, problem-solving, creativity, reflection, and real-world challenges to make learning meaningful and memorable.
Community Engagement
Events and community-based experiences that connect youth, families, schools, businesses, organizations, and local leaders while strengthening relationships and expanding opportunity.
What Young People Build
Through Youth Over Guns™, young people are supported in developing:
- Stronger confidence and positive identity
- Leadership and communication skills
- Emotional resilience and healthy relationships
- Financial knowledge and responsibility
- Career, college, and future readiness
- Healthier habits and personal discipline
- Tangible tools, plans, and portfolio assets
- Hope, purpose, and direction for the future
Partner With Youth Over Guns™
Youth Over Guns™ partners with:
- Schools and school districts
- Youth centers and community organizations
- Municipal and county agencies
- Colleges and universities
- Banks and financial institutions
- Businesses and workforce partners
- Faith-based organizations
- Violence-prevention and youth-serving agencies
- Athletic teams and mentoring programs
- Community leaders and funders
Partnerships may include structured Youth Success Initiative™ programming, school-day or after-school experiences, Saturday academies, summer institutes, assemblies, conferences, signature experiences, community events, and professional development.
Ready to bring Youth Over Guns™ to your school, organization, or community?
Contact One Family One Fight to explore a partnership.