UTC Secures $2 Million Grant for CURV Program to Combat Gun Violence

“It’s an all-encompassing experience, and I get to look at the impacts in our community, like the reduction of gun use—things that make real-world, tangible differences,” said Ellie Yates, a graduate student involved in the initiative.

UTC has launched a new initiative focused on combating gun violence in Chattanooga.

UTC Foundation Associate Professor Rick Dierenfeldt, a former police officer, worked closely with fellow faculty members to secure a $2 million federal grant for the Chattanooga United to Reduce Violence program, also known as CURV.

“This will be more than just a research center, and that’s something we wanted to emphasize in its name. This isn’t just a place where people hide behind statistics. It’s a much larger effort, with strong partnerships with community agencies to directly address the issue of violence that affects us all,” said Rick Dierenfeldt. He added that the $2 million in funding will support initiatives aimed at preventing violence and conducting cutting-edge data research.

UTC’s criminal justice program will evaluate CURV’s effectiveness, using data to refine and improve future efforts in violence prevention.

“This funding will be used to support mental health services, wraparound support for families, and structured, supervised activities for youth. It will also support ‘chain breakers’—individuals who can identify characteristics that make youth more likely to engage in violence. By getting them into these situations earlier, we can help diffuse potential issues before they escalate,” said Professor Rick Dierenfeldt.