["Journal of Community Psychology, Volume 54, Issue 5, July 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a multi‐level violence prevention initiative codesigned with the community in Bessemer, Alabama. Guided by a community‐based participatory research approach, we developed “Building a Better Bessemer,” a holistic intervention targeting violent crime at the socio‐ecological levels (individual, relational, community, and societal levels) through intervention mapping. The intervention included youth social‐emotional learning, mentoring, parental support, police engagement, and community improvement projects. Evaluation included pre‐post surveys and focus groups. Among youth self‐reported outcomes, significant improvements were seen in social cohesion (p = 0.009) and decreases in conduct problems (p < 0.001) and total difficulties (p < 0.003). Focus group results reported strong support for the program's content and delivery. Community‐driven, multi‐level violence prevention interventions are feasible and effective in communities with high crime and show promising outcomes in youth behavior and community safety.\n"]