Matan Zeimer, Cure Violence

Matan's Fellowship:

Matan is working as a Baltimore Corps Fellow at Cure Violence, a violence prevention NGO dedicated to reducing violence through a unique approach of employing disease control and behavior change methods. Cure Violence has programs and partners across the country, including the hugely successful Safe Streets program here in Baltimore. Matan is working with the Director of Health Policy at Cure Violence to build the health approach to the violence prevention model based on best practices, including Baltimore’s recent movement toward trauma informed care, that could ultimately be replicated nationally.

Background:

Matan recently graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in sociology and a concentration in peace and conflict studies. While attending Oberlin, Matan worked as a mediator and facilitator for the Oberlin College Dialogue Center where he gained a strong passion for conflict resolution. Since returning to Baltimore, Matan has worked with the Baltimore Youth Kinetic Energy Collective (BYKE), a youth empowerment after-school program centered on personal and professional development through bicycle mechanics and community building.

Why do you choose to live and work in Baltimore?

I chose to live and work in Baltimore because I grew up in and around the city and I am eager to learn more about the many communities within Baltimore. While I watched many friends move away from their hometowns after college, I became interested in why this was and found myself excited to rejoin the Baltimore community and become involved with the many organizations and people passionately working to improve the living situations and opportunities of this city's residents.

What's one surprising fact about yourself?

I learned how to knit before I learned how to read.

Go-to snack?

Hummus or nectarines