What we do
Community Safety: Incubator Project
Everyone deserves to be safe.
The system we call “public safety” responds only after harm has occurred and relies on punishment. It fails to make us safer while creating more harm for low-income communities of color, limiting access to good jobs, safe housing, and other opportunities. Our communities know how to create safety for themselves. With support and funding, they can develop holistic, right-sized approaches that reflect their unique needs.
Community Safety Incubator Projects put resources and agency back into the hands of community members, allowing them to decide what they need and design and lead the process.
Explore the Projects
Check out the reports from some of our previous Community Safety Incubator Projects to learn more!
2024
INCUBATOR REPORT
Fairgrounds
The Fairground Project cleaned up neighborhood streets, added planters and a free book bank near the park, and hosted a fiesta with community resources and services.
INCUBATOR REPORT
Arroyo Chico
Arroyo Chico transformed a walkway used by neighborhood children through a community cleanup, new planters, and a collaborative mural designed and painted with local residents.
INCUBATOR REPORT
Palomino Crossing
Palomino Crossing created a safer play area for local kids and celebrated the upgrade with a neighborhood piñata party, shared meal, and after-school paleta party.
INCUBATOR REPORT
Cumbias
The Cumbias Project brought neighbors together through community cleanups and a neighborhood fiesta featuring local food, music, dancing, and family activities.
2025
INCUBATOR REPORT
Eagle's Nest
Eagle’s Nest hosted a four-day retreat for over 200 visitors, featuring a continuous drum circle, shared meals, children’s activities, sweat lodge sessions, and a sacred Bear Dance.
INCUBATOR REPORT
Bahidaj Camp
Bahidaj Camp brought participants together for three days of harvesting bahidaj, making traditional Tohono O’odham sitol, sharing meals, and connecting through culture and community.
INCUBATOR REPORT
Julia-Keen Native Pollinators
Through workshops at Midtown Farm, this project taught residents to care for native desert plants, gave away 100 pollinator plants, and hosted a community fiesta.
INCUBATOR REPORT
Water Station
The Community Water Stations Project provided materials for more than 30 public water stations and recruited local businesses, nonprofits, and churches to offer free cold water throughout the summer.
INCUBATOR REPORT
Sacred Traditions White Bison
Sacred Traditions trained 32 participants from Indigenous communities and service providers across Arizona to become certified program facilitators, providing the materials needed to bring the training back to their communities.
INCUBATOR REPORT
Water Station
The Community Water Stations Project provided materials for more than 30 public water stations and recruited local businesses, nonprofits, and churches to offer free cold water throughout the summer.
2026
What is a Community Safety Incubator Project?
Short-term, concrete projects that increase safety and wellness in a given neighborhood. These are projects that do not require any government intervention or approval (zoning, ordinances, etc).
The projects are led by a small group of neighbors who have intimate knowledge of the neighborhood’s strengths and needs. They devise a plan for a one-time investment in a project, service or event that will contribute to safety and wellbeing for all neighbors. They are entirely free of cost and designed to invest in the people and organizations in the local community.
How does the process work?
- A small group of neighbors agree to serve on the Community Safety Team (CST).
They engage in discussion about what kinds of unique needs and strengths exist in their community and identify a specific project, service, or improvement that they feel will contribute to the safety, wellbeing, and health of the community. JCA staff will guide this process and provide information on what kinds of solutions might be available. These CST members are paid a stipend for their time and work. - When appropriate, another community-based organization that has specialized expertise can be brought into the process as a consultant to help design and/or implement the project. There are funds to pay for the consultants, intended to be invested in local community organizations.
- The project is designed to be completed in 2-3 months or less. Other neighborhood residents are invited to volunteer to help be part of the process and to engage with and share the benefits of the project. JCA pays for all needed materials.
What kinds of things can Incubator Projects do?
These are short-term projects and funding is limited. We cannot create organizations or ongoing programs.
Examples could include:
- Tree planting
- Trash cleanup or neighborhood beautification
- Community gardens
- Murals or art installations
- A tool-lending library or other resource-sharing
project - Better outdoor lighting
- Community or cultural events, block parties, etc.
- Youth activities
- Home repairs
- Food or clothing distribution, other mutual aid
- Conflict resolution or mediation
- Harm reduction services, Narcan distribution, accu-detox
- Training, skill-sharing, or other educational event
or service
These are just examples generated via JCA’s research and community-engagement activities. The decision is up to the members of the local Community Safety Team.
How can I get an Incubator Project in my neighborhood?
Currently, all projects must be located in Pima County, Arizona. We strive for equity and diversity, ensuring that projects are dispersed across the County and serving as many communities as possible.
The primary populations to be served are individuals and neighborhoods that are historically under-resourced, have experienced high rates of arrest and incarceration, and are otherwise negatively impacted by drug criminalization, prosecution, and stigmatization.