About Sam
Sam Vaughn is a powerful community leader and a central figure in the success of the Richmond, California, Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS), a pioneering violence reduction program. After serving a decade in prison, where he was mentored by elders, Vaughn dedicated his life to preventing gun violence and helping young men avoid his past fate. He now serves as the Deputy Director of Community Services for ONS. The ONS model, which has been widely copied by cities nationwide, focuses on identifying individuals at the highest risk of being either perpetrators or victims of gun violence. Through its Operation Peacemaker Fellowship, ONS offers these young men mentorship, emotional support (acting as a “surrogate family”), and financial resources to encourage them to visualize and choose a healthy, non-violent path. The results of ONS, which Vaughn helped guide, are dramatic: Richmond’s homicide rate has plummeted, reaching its lowest annual total in over 50 years in 2023. Recent data shows that over 90% of ONS fellows avoid being arrested and stay alive. Sam continues to be an outspoken advocate for “loving on” these at-risk young people and replacing trauma with community support. He is also the co-author of the children’s book, Be A Change Agent For Your Community, a tool for early gun violence prevention.
