On Monday, June 29, 2026, a double shooting occurred at The TRIGGER Project site in the 700 block of 18th Street NE, involving two of our own youth employees. Following this traumatic event, DOES has moved to close our site, basing this decision on inaccurate news reports rather than engaging with our organization or the 150+ youth who rely on this space daily.

Why This Matters:

 Essential Resource: This site is a critical safe haven in a community deeply rooted in gun violence.

 Economic Impact: The site supports local small businesses by utilizing their van services for youth transportation.

 Youth Choice: The 150+ youth served by this program do not want to be transferred; they are traumatized and need their home base, their community, and their resources restored.

 Community Stability: Closing this site strips resources away from youth at the exact moment they need them most, rather than providing the support and stability they deserve.

Our Demands:

We, The youth,  call upon the Department of Employment Services (DOES) to:

1. Immediately Reverse the Decision: Reopen our site and restore full programming and support services.

2. Engage with the Community: Stop relying on external news narratives and begin listening to the voices of the youth and the leadership of The TRIGGER Project.

We are tired of being treated as the problem when we are the ones providing the solutions. We stand with The TRIGGER Project, and we demand that our site remain open.