“40 Days of Increased Peace” began in 2000 East of the River in an effort to offer young people free recreational, spiritually enlightening, and educational activities during the summer months as an alternative to violence. This initiative also gave law enforcement a special time to do “fun things” with the community as an effort to build positive relationships. In the 5 years since its inception, the “40 Days of Increased Peace” has served countless youth east of the Anacostia River with events beginning on the Monday following the last day of the school year and continuing through the beginning of August. This has been done through a partnership that has been established with the law enforcement agencies (MPD), the faith-based community, local businesses, schools, and other community-based organizations.

The significance of the 40 Days is to symbolize the 40 Day period immediately following His baptism that Jesus Christ went into the wilderness in order to prepare in solitude by fasting and prayer for the accomplishing of the great work for which He had come to earth. The “40 Days of Increased Peace” is now a viable city-wide effort of the Clergy Police Community Partnerships and the Metropolitan Police Department. Through a collaboration of clergy, police and community we aim to improve the spiritual and personal development of young people. This is done by building a system of community support that enhances service delivery and creates healthy and safe neighborhoods. 

The East of the River Clergy, Police, Community Partnership has partnered with numerous sponsors and community partners to present its “40 Days of Increased Peace” activities. These include but are not limited to the following: Regional Operations Command Central Clergy Police Community Partnership, The Metropolitan Police Department (ROC East, ROC Central and ROC North), Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, AMERIGROUP Corporation, WPGC 95.5 FM, Heaven 1580 AM, Abigail, Angel Youth Outreach Ministries, A.P. Shaw United Methodist Church, Beyond Excellence, Boys & Girls Clubhouses of Greater Washington, Church Community Partners Against HIV/AIDS, Covenant House Washington, CSOSA, Department of Health, Department of Justice/ Weed and Seed Initiative, Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services, D.C. Idol Hands, D.C. Parks & Recreation, East Capitol Center for Change, First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Global Family Day/ C.O.P.Y. DC, My Sister’s House, No Murders DC, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Office of Neighborhood Services, Peace Baptist Church, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC, ROOT Inc., Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Shiloh Baptist Church, Suited for Change, Team Champions, Terry Hairston Foundation, and the Wendt Center for Loss & Healing. 

The partners ban together to provide substantive programming for the duration of the 40 day period.   This programming is meant to continually engage the youth of the community thereby decreasing the opportunity for them to become involved in violent crime and negative behavior. Prior to the beginning of the 40 Days, a calendar of events is assembled to be provided to the community in order to increase awareness of the available opportunities.