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UCAN Celebrates Black History Month With HBCU-Themed Programming The celebration of Black History Month was in full swing as UCAN helped host “The HBCU Experience,” a program in partnership with Family Focus and the Chicago Park District. The event took place on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the Homan Square Community Center in North Lawndale…

WATCH: CVI Leadership Academy Graduates Reflect on History-Making Experience “I like to be a part of something that’s groundbreaking and history-making.” On Friday, February 9, 2024, 31 community violence intervention (CVI) leaders from 21 cities across the country graduated from the inaugural cohort of the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy….

Chicago Crime Lab’s CVILA Inaugural Cohort Graduates at White House, VP Harris Gives Praise The University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) made its mark from city streets to the White House with the graduation of its inaugural cohort on Friday, February 9, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Thirty-one community violence intervention…

MPI’s Rodney Phillips Profiled in Chicago Sun-Times Ahead of CVI Leadership Academy Graduation Congratulations are in order for Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) Associate Director of Crisis Prevention & Response Unit (CPRU) Rodney “Hot Rod” Phillips who was recently profiled in the Chicago Sun-Times ahead of his graduation from the inaugural cohort of the Chicago Crime…

Sip, Paint & Connect: Target Area Development Hosts Creative Night at Lindblom Park Artists of all levels picked up their brushes, donned aprons, and immersed themselves in creativity during a family-friendly “Paint & Sip” hosted by Target Area Development at Lindblom Park. The event was part of Light in the Night, a Communities Partnering 4…

Community Violence Intervention Groups Announce Scaling Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence in Chicago Community violence intervention (CVI) groups gathered with philanthropic, business, and government leaders at an annual convening on Thursday, February 1, 2024, to announce plans to expand CVI programs in Chicago to help reduce gun violence. The midday gathering took place at the…

Southwest Organizing Project Hosts ‘Hoop, Don’t Shoot’ Basketball Tournament in Gage Park Players laced up their gym shoes and enjoyed an evening of friendly competition as Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) hosted “Hoop, Don’t Shoot,” a basketball tournament in partnership with St. Rita Church and Chicago Cares. The event took place on Tuesday, January 30, 2024…

Graduate Reflection: Fantasia Smith Details Her Experience With the Metropolitan Peace Academy “The MPA has been great for me. It has taught me so much in wanting to have integrity in my life and work.” Outreach Cohort 15 graduate and Chicago CRED Life Coach Fantasia Smith recently reflected on her time at the Metropolitan Peace…

WATCH: Project H.O.O.D. Gains New Group of Community Violence Intervention Professionals Project H.O.O.D. celebrated the achievements of several team members as they graduated from the Metropolitan Peace Academy earlier this month. Victims Advocate Chantrel Lee and Outreach Worker Leonard Salley detailed their experiences with the trainings and their plans to transform their neighborhood through community…

Scenes From the 2024 Winter Graduation of the Metropolitan Peace Academy The Metropolitan Peace Academy honored four graduating cohorts on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at South Shore Cultural Center. Eighty-five graduates received certificates and awards for completing trainings focused on case management, victim services, and street outreach. Check out the photos from the evening’s festivities…