Uniteee Violence and Incarceration Prevention
Marcus Woods founded UNITEEE Violence and Incarceration Prevention following a profound personal journey.
He transformed his own adversity into a powerful force for community change. At just 17, Marcus was wrongfully incarcerated and served nearly two decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit. Rather than surrendering to bitterness, he laid the groundwork for what would become UNITEEE Violence and Incarceration Prevention. During his incarceration, Mr. Woods envisioning a world where young people could avoid the trauma he experienced.
Today, Marcus' impact reverberates throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, where he works tirelessly with dozens of schools and administrators to implement trauma-responsive programs. His lived experience gives him unique credibility when connecting with youth deemed "high-risk," allowing him to meet them with in understanding rather than judgment.
The transformative power of Marcus' work is evident in the hundreds of young lives redirected from paths of violence and incarceration. Through UNITEEE's evidence-based programs in Anger Management, Batterers Intervention, Life Skills, and Self Development, Marcus has created safe spaces for youth to process trauma and develop positive coping mechanisms.
Beyond individual transformation, Marcus' leadership in participation in community events like the Los Angeles Peace Ride, a space that brings together diverse community members affected by gun violence, while building collective healing and advocacy. The organization "United in Peace" has an ability to unite car clubs, bike clubs, and community stakeholders to demonstrates a gift for creating unity across different communities and tribes.
Marcus' commitment to removing stigmas around community contentment and racial inequity has positioned him as a respected voice in conversations about systemic change. By addressing root causes of violence while providing practical intervention, Marcus Woods isn't just preventing violence—he's cultivating new generations of empowered youth who can envision and create peaceful futures for themselves and their communities.
