Project Safe Neighborhoods
The purpose of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is to reduce incidences of gun violence in Chicago's most afflicted neighborhoods. Our approach includes law enforcement, intervention and prevention strategies. Our comprehensive strategy is designed to prevent youth from committing gun crimes, to intervene in the lives of those individuals struggling to re-integrate into society following release from prison, and to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those individuals who threaten the safety of Chicago's neighborhoods by committing gun crimes.
Jobs for Youth
Jobs For Youth/Chicago helps young men and women from low-income families become a part of the economic mainstream; and, in the process, provides the business community with motivated job-ready workers. Jobs For Youth is a free program for teens and young adults ages 17 to 24.
Chicago Area Project
The Chicago Area Project (CAP) is a private, not-for-profit organization with a distinguished history and demonstrable track record of over sixty years of work in delinquency prevention and service in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. The original mission of CAP has not changed since its inception:To work toward the prevention and eradication of juvenile delinquency through the development and support of affiliated local community self-help efforts, in communities where the need is greatest.
CeaseFire Chicago
CeaseFire is an evidence-based public health approach to reducing shootings and killings. Our methods for reversing the violence epidemic use highly trained street violence interrupters and outreach staff, public education campaigns and community mobilization.
The Better Boys Foundation
The Better Boys Foundation (BBF) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the West Side community of North Lawndale (Chicago Community Area 29). Our mission is to improve the quality of life for North Lawndale area youth and their families by providing experiences that enhance their emotional, social, academic, and career development. BBF concentrates its efforts in three major areas: Youth and family crisis counseling,
Out-of-School programming, Scholarships and career guidance assistance.
FindYouthInfo.gov
The FindYouthInfo.gov Web site provides Federally-developed interactive tools and other resources to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships. It is designed to benefit Federal agencies, youth service providers, and the youth-serving community. Tools and resources available on the website include resources to assist communities and others.
Chicago Youth Programs
Chicago Youth Programs, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded with the mission to improve the life opportunities and health of at-risk youth using a comprehensive approach aimed at developing their capabilities. CYP serves over 450 at-risk youth from birth through college from three disadvantaged/impoverished communities.
http://crimelab.uchicago.edu/
The University of Chicago Crime Lab seeks to improve our understanding of how to reduce crime and violence by helping government agencies and non-profit organizations rigorously evaluate new pilot programs. Among the Crime Lab's ongoing projects is the Chicago Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence Among School Age Youth: Essentially a "design competition" to identify promising ideas from government agencies, non-profits and faith-based organizations for reducing youth gun violence in Chicago, and then to seek private funding to implement and rigorously evaluate the best of these ideas.
After School Chicago
AfterSchoolChicago.org provides information on organizations and programs offered to youth ages 6 to 21 during after-school hours. After-school hours may include but are not limited to the hours before and after-school, on weekends and holidays, as well as during the summer.
West Side Health Authority
West Side Health Authority seeks to dispel the myth that scientific data defines a community. We believe the community's strength lies in using the capacity of people who are often labeled as victims, and empowering those who need help. By identifying neighborhood assets and developing trusting relationships, WHA is able to mobilize residents to carry out a community vision in the areas of youth development, health promotions, community development, prisoner re-entry, employment, technology, violence prevention, and economic development.
Youth As Possible Chicago
Youth as Possibility Chicago (YAPC) was created with a mission to guide and mentor at-risk African American youth to fulfilling and productive lives in their community. Our vision is that these young people contribute to the uplifting of their people and the community. We want them to engage in healthy and responsible relationships; be positive role models for younger youth; engage in responsible parenting and become loving, positive human beings.
St. Sabina/Safety Net Works of Auburn Gresham (773-483-4300/4333 )
Group lobbies for Common Sense gun laws; organizes an Immediate Response Team for when a child is killed in the 6th and 7th police districts; creates youth awareness and involvement in street violence; offers positive alternatives at The Ark of St. Sabina; Raises community involvement and empowerment to stopping violence
Warning Signs for Potential Violence
If you see these immediate warning signs, violence is a serious possibility:
- loss of temper on a daily basis
- frequent physical fighting
- significant vandalism or property damage
- increase in use of drugs or alcohol
- increase in risk-taking behavior
- detailed plans to commit acts of violence
- announcing threats or plans for hurting others
- enjoying hurting animals
- carrying a weapon
If you notice the following signs over a period of time, the potential for violence exists:
- a history of violent or aggressive behavior
- serious drug or alcohol use
- gang membership or strong desire to be in a gang
- access to or fascination with weapons, especially guns
- threatening others regularly
- trouble controlling feelings like anger
- withdrawal from friends and usual activities
- feeling rejected or alone
- having been a victim of bullying
- poor school performance
- history of discipline problems or frequent run-ins with authority
- feeling constantly disrespected
- failing to acknowledge the feelings or rights of others
(From the American Psychological Association)
Kids Off The Block
Our mission is to give at-risk low income youth positive
alternatives to gangs, drugs, violence, truancy, and the juvenile
justice system. We accomplish this through Tutoring/Mentoring,
Music, Drama, Sports, and Local/Out-of-Town Trips
Build Chicago
BUILD's mission is to help redirect the behavior of gang- affiliated youth and potential recruits to gangs in order to improve their chances of leading fulfilling lives and to increase the stability and safety of the communities in which they reside.
The Black Star Project
Our mission is to provide educational services that help pre-school through college students succeed academically and become knowledgeable and productive citizens with the support of their parents, families, schools and communities.
Family Focus
The mission of Family Focus -- one of the nation's flagship family support programs since 1976 -- is to promote the well-being of children from birth by supporting and strengthening their families in and with their communities. For information on the centers, visit family-focus.org.
Illinois Systems for You
Resources for families and schools to strengthen school communities.
Love is Not Enough to Keep Your Family Strong
Love Is Not Enough is an Initiative of Strengthening Families Illinois, a collaboration between the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and over 40 partner agencies and organizations. Click here for Parent Café information
Passages Alternative Living
Parent Education Workshops - Assist parents in developing effective childcare and communications skills to strengthen family relationships. Address: 10 W. 35th St., 3rd Floor; Chicago, IL 60616; Phone: (312) 225-3800.
Other Resources
National Crime Prevention Council
The National Crime Prevention Council's mission is to be the nation's leader in helping people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime.
U.S. Department of Justice
Range of resources to help prevent youth violence.
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Federal partners working on youth violence.
Illinois Center for Violence Prevention
As the only statewide nonprofit in the nation working to prevent violence across the lifespan, ICVP turning this promise into a reality by identifying, promoting and evaluating the best ways to prevent violence.
U.S. Department of Education
ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
Safe Schools Healthy Kids
The SS/HS Initiative is a unique Federal grant-making program designed to prevent violence and substance abuse among our Nation's youth, schools, and communities.
