WASHINGTON (7News) — 7News is following the fallout from the federal investigation into DC Councilman Trayon White after he was accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to pressure city employees into renewing certain contracts for “violence interruption programs.”

In light of these allegations, organizations that provide anti-violence programs in the city are working to ensure that the community is not neglected.

On Thursday, the former executive director of the nonprofit organization Life Deeds, Inc., which is under the jurisdiction of the agency named in White’s criminal complaint, resigned.

RELATED TOPICS | CEO of violence intervention program resigns days after Councilman Trayon White’s arrest

Life Deeds, Inc. is one of the groups behind violence intervention and prevention efforts and is working to make the District safer. 7News asked the other agencies that provide these services how they are handling White’s arrest.

“Shocked,” said Terrance Staley, executive director of the Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM), an independent nonprofit organization not involved in the investigation that also works to stop the violence.

“We don’t understand this area because we work so hard to earn our position where we are,” Staley said.

Staley added that the scandal is confusing because there has been a great deal of effort locally to build trust in Washington DC communities.

Responding to the damning headlines and appearance of corruption, Staley said the work in the community never stopped despite initial feelings of shock and disappointment.

ACM was at Sousa Elementary and Kimball Elementary in Southeast on Thursday to distribute backpacks before students return to school in DC.

ALSO READ | DC Councilman Trayon White’s annual back-to-school event in Ward 8 has been canceled

“We’re really going to show what we’re doing, because that’s what’s going on,” Staley said. “We’re going to show it better than we say it.”

To allay any concerns within the needy communities, Staley said he has heard only encouragement.

“Some of our respected seniors are calling and saying, ‘ACM, keep marching, keep praying. Your integrity is intact. Just keep doing your job,'” Staley said. “I think we can move forward with a more positive attitude about what can potentially be good for this city rather than looking at decline because of individual situations.”