Our mission is to save lives and reduce crime in Kansas City

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The Justice & Dignity Center has launched a powerful program designed to combat youth violence, reduce crime, and address gun violence in our community. Through mentorship, education, and positive engagement, we’re creating safer neighborhoods and empowering young people to choose peace over violence.

Guns Down, Gloves Up is a youth violence-prevention initiative centered at the Justice & Dignity Center in Kansas City and led by Bishop Tony R. Caldwell alongside community organizers. It channels neighborhood conflicts away from the streets and into a supervised boxing environment—pairing training and exhibition bouts with positive mentorship and life-skills support. 

How it works

• Boxing as a safe outlet: The program hosts structured training and controlled matches—sometimes featuring high-profile local rivals—to model conflict resolution without weapons and to give young people a constructive release for anger and stress.
  
  
• Mentorship + community partners: Local advocates (including Dads Against Crime and other KC activists) collaborate with the Justice & Dignity Center to surround participants with role models, resources, and accountability.
  
  
• Innovative tools (VR): Inside the Center, a full ring and a virtual-reality setup are used to help teens build confidence, face fears, and engage through tech-enhanced boxing and experiential learning.
  
  
• Public events that set a tone: Showcase bouts—like those held at Municipal Auditorium—demonstrate to the wider community that “beef” can be settled with gloves, not guns.
  
  

Who it serves

Primarily teens and young adults—the same age group overrepresented among victims and suspects in KC homicides—giving them a team, a gym, and a path away from street violence. 

Why it matters

By replacing retaliation with rules, coaching, and community, Guns Down, Gloves Up turns potential funerals into teachable moments—and gives Kansas City youth a visible alternative to picking up a gun.