The impact of violence in America, particularly on children and youth, is substantial. Thousands are killed or injured as a result of violence each year. Beyond the devastating loss of life, violence wreaks emotional and psychological havoc on young people, their families, and their communities, in addition to generating huge financial costs for society at large. Because violence compromises the health and safety of the entire community, a Violence Prevention Committee was created at Carolinas Medical Center in 1996 to help develop organized strategies aimed at reducing violence.