Community Violence Intervention Training Graduates Look Back on Peace Academy Experience
Another group of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) specialists graduated from the Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) in June, joining the ranks of dedicated individuals on the forefront of violence prevention in the city of Chicago. 70 new graduates in street outreach, case management, victim services, and members of the management and supervision fellowship walked the stage, confirming their commitment to creating peace within their communities.
“I just felt it was my gift to give back.”
After losing family members to violence, Kiuana Cooper-Echols, a Victim Services Advocate representing the organization Purpose Over Pain, became determined to help other Chicago families move through grief and access critical services. She says, “I think this work is so important because we have a lot of violence in the city of Chicago, a lot of senseless violence, as well as a lot of families that need help and assistance.”
“I just felt it was my gift to give back and help other families that were in that same situation.”
“We need to be able to help the next generation grow.”
Martin Leon, a Street Outreach Worker from the organization New Life Centers, wanted to help empower the neighborhood he came from. “This work means a lot to me,” he explains, “because growing up here in Little Village, seeing all the struggles, living through poverty, a lot of resources aren’t readily available.”
“Keeping the relationship going with New Life Centers and MPA is key because we need to be able to help the next generation grow, the next group of leaders, the next group of street outreach workers.”
“I love the work that I do.”
Derrick Cabrera, a Case Manager at ALSO, had an early affinity for helping others, whether it was friends, family, or community members who needed it. He finds case management “fruitful.” He says, “Just seeing the reward other people get from it and the growth in people is really huge to me […] I love the work that I do.”
Describing his cohort, he says, “Meeting strangers, becoming friends, and leaving [as] family […] connecting through shared experiences and the work we do is something I’ll always cherish.”
“I’ve been doing this work since I was about 15.”
Jason Little from Think Outside Da Block describes his upbringing as the reason he dedicated himself to CVI. “Being that I grew up in a community where I’ve seen many people suffering from […] food deserts, as well as violence, and also job scarcity, I wanted to be the individual that not only inspired others to reach their highest potential, but also provide these resources within my community.”
“I’ve been doing this work since I was about 15 […] Being at the MPA provided me the opportunity to meet people who could help further my goal and my dream, which is to provide resources to our community, to help heal our community.”
The MPA serves as the training grounds for street outreach workers, case managers, victim advocates, and trauma recovery specialists. The facility also provides community training for Chicago residents and police officers. Learn more about the MPA and its services.