Metropolitan Peace Academy Graduates Reflect on Transformative Community Violence Intervention Training
The Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) recently celebrated its newest group of community violence intervention (CVI) specialists at a graduation ceremony, introducing 52 new graduates in street outreach, case management, and victim services. For many in the field, their dedication to CVI work comes from personal history – this much is true for A’Shake Banks, graduate from Victim Services Cohort 3.
“I am her voice.”
After losing her daughter to gun violence in 2012, Banks began responding to shooting incidents on the West side. “I came across a few friends I knew that worked for the Institute of Nonviolence Chicago. They picked me up and gave me a chance.”
Banks is described as resilient, dedicated, and committed to being an advocate for victims of violence. Of her own work, Banks says, “I’m really humble and thankful for the work that I do because there are so many kids out here just suffering from senseless gun violence.” The memory of her daughter remains a powerful motivator for continuing to advocate for victims: “I am her voice.”
“We’re trying to change the narrative.”
Many graduates from the MPA experience a personal transformation – like Steffon Edwards from Outreach Cohort 18, who works in street outreach at Project H.O.O.D. His history also inspired his decision to join MPA’s training: “I’m from the neighborhood, you know. We did a lot of bad in the neighborhood. We’re trying to change the narrative. I was a part of making it bad. Now I’m trying to make a change and make it better.”
Field manager Jaron Washington said of Edwards: “… the area he comes from is a very violent area, and just to watch him be intentional about community building, keeping positive energy in the face of that adversity, is a testament to who he is.”
“The work is being impactful and is being effective.”
Ahmad “Edy” Khalid from Case Management Cohort 8 (representing Chicago CRED) is intimately familiar with the need for resources in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods, especially for those leaving the justice system. “One of the ways I started doing this work was just coming from a deprived neighborhood with very little resources, and seeing returning citizens coming back with no resources… I wanted to be impactful.”
Cohort 8 became like a family to Khalid, who emphasizes that community violence intervention is working to make the city safer. “I’m very excited to move forward with violence prevention case management… People may not know the numbers are shrinking, but the numbers are shrinking… The work is being impactful and is being effective.”
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.