Drawing on social disorganization theories this paper considers what type of voluntary organization might mediate community social norms in localities with low income where violence is embedded in social institutions and residents appear unable to informally regulate violent crimes. This study describes how the situated logic of one organization, located in a favela in Brazil, transcends personal ties to the organization and illustrates how community-based organizations have potential to influence community norms with the expectation that rates of violence will decline. This organization has made it possible for young people to publically disrupt the symbolic order that maintains divisive social rules and has started to alter gendered norms that contribute to high levels of neighbourhood violence.