Sam Vaughn
Committed mentor for violence-prone youth in what was once one of the top ten most dangerous cities in
the country; Sam Vaughn serves as Neighborhood Safety Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety
(ONS)/ Deputy Director of Community Services Department. His experiences being mentored by elders while
incarcerated for a decade inspired him to become a community leader and help other young men avoid his
fate. Believing that traumatized youth will make better choices for themselves and their communities when
able to visualize a healthier path and given a continuous support network, the ONS fellowship program
serves as surrogate family for these young men. Over 70% of the ONS fellows have stayed away from gun
violence and now live with much more hope and promise. Meanwhile, Richmond’s homicide rate has
plummeted.