Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, Metropolitan Peace Academy Host DOJ Reception

(L-R) North Lawndale Employment Network Chief Strategy Officer Chasda Martin, Chicago CRED Strategic Initiatives Manager Jason Little, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Executive Director Teny Gross, The Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science Executive Director Soledad McGrath, and MPI Field Manager Charles Decuire sit on a panel moderated by Chicago CRED Founder Arne Duncan at the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities’ Department of Justice reception and site tour of the Metropolitan Peace Academy on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Pilsen.

The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) and the Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) hosted an intimate reception and site visit for the Department of Justice on Thursday, April 4, 2024 following the 2024 CVIPI Grantee Conference. Guests were guided through the newly-opened space, while mixing and mingling with other professionals in the community violence intervention (CVI) field.

Following tours of the site, guests were welcomed by Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) Chief Training Officer Vanessa Perry DeReef, Ph.D. and sat for remarks from MacArthur Foundation Senior Program Officer Tawa Mitchell, MPI Executive Director Vaughn Bryant, Chicago Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood, and PSPC Executive Director Esther Franco-Payne.

“When they compare us to other cities, people talk about the violence issue. People need to understand that Chicago is a beautiful city. It’s a city of hope, it’s a city of joy,” Gatewood said. “[…] We have to continue to invest in people. We have to continue to invest in each other because we didn’t get here overnight, and we want to add to it so that we’re moving in the right direction.”

Guests mix and mingle at the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities’ Department of Justice reception and site tour of the Metropolitan Peace Academy on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Pilsen.

Chicago CRED Founder Arne Duncan also moderated a panel with MPI Field Manager Charles Decuire, Chicago CRED Strategic Initiatives Manager Jason Little, North Lawndale Employment Network Chief Strategy Officer Chasda Martin, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Executive Director Teny Gross, and The Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science Executive Director Soledad McGrath. Decuire, a graduate of MPA, spoke candidly about the growth he’s experienced while working for MPI and how it’s transformed his life.

“It taught me so much. Professionally, it put me in places where I didn’t think I would go — to have a sustainable wage, living the life. Life is good,” Decuire said. ” […] I was thankful they sent me to the Academy. It’s helped me with my facilitation skills, public speaking. It’s helped me in so many different ways that I couldn’t even imagine.”