OUR INITIATIVES

Community Violence Intervention, or CVI, is an evidence-informed, non-punitive public health approach to reducing gun violence. It offers a suite of services that proactively engage individuals with the highest likelihood of being involved in gun violence, with the goal of promoting healing and building safer and stronger communities.

Our CVI frontline workers are positioned to proactively deter and prevent violence, connect community members to resources, and promote nonviolent norms. This strategy provides a continuum of support to underserved people.

Services include:

■ Street outreach

■ Legal aid

■ Mental health & wellness

■ Workforce development

■ Education

Getcha Mind Right is a trauma awareness program that aims to strengthen the capacity of individuals and community. This program was designed to provide a space where, through peer-to-peer support, youth and young adults can begin to address four components that play a role in trauma awareness:

■ Violence Prevention – Conversations about lived experiences and how the outcomes of those experiences have affects at the micro-, mezzo-, and macrolevels. 

■ Health and Wellness – Healing from traumatic experiences or events are a process and therefore, require professional support systems, knowledge and access to healthy food options, and structured/intentional positive body movement. 

■ Financial Literacy – By educating participants in financial literacy, we’re able to improve financial well-being, break the cycles of intergenerational financial crises and create pathways out of poverty. 

■ Community Engagement – Having knowledge of resources within one’s community, activating public spaces to engage others and encouraging unity amongst community residents and stakeholders for long-term impact.

Bike Outside Da Block exposes youth to viable careers, cultural opportunities, and fun by way of bike. This initiative promotes healthy living, personal development, and community engagement among young people through the sport of cycling.

We encourage youth to adopt an active lifestyle by providing opportunities for regular cycling through organized rides, training programs, and events. The event helps build a sense of community and belonging among young people by providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all members.

We teach young people about bike maintenance and repair and encourage them to take responsibility for their own bikes. We also promote environmental awareness by educating young people about the environmental benefits of cycling and encouraging sustainable transportation choices. Through this initiative, we:

■ Expose youth to career opportunities

■ Develop and enhance leadership skills, confidence, and self-esteem

■ Introduce youth to circle keeping

■ Teach bike mechanic skills

■ Introduce youth to a healthy lifestyle

■ Provide peer-to-peer support

■ Promote cultural competency

Bike N Peace is an eight-mile bike tour throughout Greater Englewood which intentionally passes important neighborhood landmarks and community hotspots. To create this route, CEO Pha’tal Perkins utilizes crime stats produced by the 7th District Police Department, to identify areas where criminal activity may be higher than others and purposefully uses active community engagement as an opportunity to deter violence. To enhance our participants’ cultural awareness and knowledge, we highlight landmarks along the bike route. These landmarks consist of schools, churches, parks, and structures that make up the rich history and culture of our community. By highlighting community landmarks along the route, we strive to educate participants and supporters on the rich history and culture of our community. RNP allows community members to push past the media’s cliché depiction of Englewood’s damaging reputation and begin creating a new narrative for the place Greater Englewood residents call home. Through this initiative, we:

■ Address public safety concerns in Englewood

■ Promote health and wellness amongst residents

■ Provide participants an opportunity to see their neighborhood in a positive light

■ Increase knowledge and awareness of community resources

■ Encourage positive interactions with local law enforcement

Ball N Peace is one of our annual events intended to use sports as a tool that allows us to build community, promote peace, deter violence, spread love and unify residents in underserved communities. This event also serves as an opportunity for us to leverage relationships with community stakeholders and engage residents in order to advocate for a better quality of life within our community. By being proactive, creating safe spaces and building community trust, we believe collectively we’ll have a greater impact. Together, we:

■ Build community bonds

■ Activate public spaces

■ Creates violence awareness

■ Promote peace

Paint N Peace is an event that people of all ages can partake in. It is an annual community-wide event that uses art as a tool to shift the narrative of the greater Englewood. This innovation establishes a sense of pride amongst residents and community stakeholders.

■ Community Engagement

■ Artistic Expression

■ Community Pride

■ Beautification

■ Violence Prevention

Give N Peace has been a staple community celebration rooted in giving back and creating safe, welcoming spaces for families. What began as a pop-up turkey drive has grown into a holistic event that provides essential winter gear, free haircuts, hairstyles, manicures, music, games, and valuable community resources for youth in grades K–12 and their families. By combining fun with essential support, Give N Peace continues to combat clothing scarcity, foster belonging, and boost morale in the community.

The evening features:

■ Free winter essentials – Coats, hats, gloves, and scarves for youth K–12

■ Self-care services – Haircuts, hairstyles, and manicures

■ Community resources – Information and connections to local organizations

■ Music, fun, and games for all ages