Youth Violence Prevention Program
The Youth Violence Prevention Initiative targets two age groups; age groups 6-13 and 14-18 (i.e. prevention and intervention). Programming is targeted for the vulnerable youth, youth who are truant, homeless youth, youth who are engaged and/or released from the juvenile justice system.
HLCDC provides a comprehensive community-based program delivery system annually for a minimum of 500 young people, ages 6-18, within the Chicago Public School Region, during after/non-school hours. Our focus is on violence prevention activities and implement community based youth outreach and recruitment efforts through partnerships with CAPS, After School Matters, Alternative School Network, Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, Chicago Park District, and Chicago Public Schools.
To maximize the programs options and opportunities, the agency has expanded program hours to include 6 pm to 9 pm, weekends and school breaks. We provide outreach and recruitment activities for the communities with high incidences of violence and substance abuse.
The program serves as a referral hub to improve community relations between youth and adult allies; Collaborate with CDHS to promote Program Standards and other professional development opportunities, i.e. Youth Worker Practitioner, Advancing Youth Development and Youth Worker Certification. Utilize existing space and resources within communities, such as parks, libraries, schools, gyms, pools, specialized activity rooms; Create youth development program linkages and implementation of violence prevention programs/special events/activities; Continue to be a main repository for parents seeking information, referrals, and connection to resources for theft children.
The Agency it self provides a safe haven for those in need and be accessible to all community residents and community based organizations for meetings and limited program activities and events. Convene the multiple stakeholders in a defined geographic area around the needs of youth.
HLCDC serves Region 3 of the Chicago Public School District and the children and families within the Empowerment Zone Community, which has a large concentration of low-income families. We also serve the following Chicago communities: Austin (25), Near Westside (28), Lower Westside (31), North Lawndale (29), South Lawndale (30), East Garfield Park (27), and West Garfield Park (26). There are over 1.3 million residents in these communities.
Problems to be addressed through prevention, intervention programs are:
· bullying, conflict resolution, back to school safety rallies and peace walks for the ages of 6 – 14
· gang mediation, tattoo removal, teen dating violence, life skills, job employment skills, and case management services, if needed for the older youth.
We employ and train peer outreach workers, ages 14-18 in violence prevention activities who will serve as mentors to theft own peers and role models to youth ages 10-14. We link youth with CAPS to create safe passages for young people in their communities so that they may better access programs and services and increase the number of young people involved in CAPS, such as peer juries, police explorers, attendance at Beat and DAC meeting and special conference and assemblies;
Program Outcomes:
Through this initiative and our collaboration with the other KidStart YouthNet agencies and the involvement of local residents, parent and youth we address the multiple challenges facing our youth and their families.
We believe that exposing the youth to violence prevention will help them understand people, help understand themselves, make them aware of their environment and in turn help others to better themselves. And let them know that the community cares about their future and the future of their families.
Begin making a difference and call 773-626-8655
info@homeoflife.org