Recent News
Stay informed with the latest news, announcements, event info and more.
EVENT: Join Us for CVI Rally Day to Permanently Fund RPSA
The Illinois Peace Project invites you to join us for a CVI Rally Day in Springfield, IL on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 to help permanently fund the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RSPA), a comprehensive approach to violence prevention. A collaborative of CVI organizations, faith leaders, and community members will take the trip to make our voices heard..
Food For Those In Need: Pan de Vida Opens Fourth Location in Chicago
The neighborhood of Midway recently celebrated the grand opening of a new Pan de Vida, which translates to “Bread of Life”, location at New Life Centers. This marked a collaborative effort with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide food to thousands within the community.
Community Justice Action Fund’s Policy and Advocacy Summit Holds ‘Platform for Policy’ Panel
Influence and the power of a platform were the topics of conversation during a panel discussion on gun violence policy at the Community Justice Action Fund Policy and Advocacy Summit on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Washington D.C. The full-day event, which was followed by a lobby “action day” on Wednesday, served as an immersive training for community violence intervention (CVI) professionals, gun violence survivors, and policymakers to learn how to be effective advocates and communicate top priorities for policy change.
CVI Experts Discuss Public Safety at ‘Civilian Infrastructure’ Panel
Community violence intervention (CVI) experts from across Chicago came together for a panel discussion entitled “Civilian Infrastructure for Public Safety” on Friday, April 12, 2024 at UCAN headquarters in Homan Square. Hosted by Leadership Greater Chicago, the conversation aimed to highlight how organizations such as the coalition of Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI), and Chicago CRED are playing their part in addressing gun violence.
Building Bridges: CP4P Community Violence Intervention Professionals and CPD Unite to Tackle Chicago Gun Violence
Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) community violence intervention (CVI) professionals and representatives from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) met at the new Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) for a CVI and CPD Professional Understanding session. The workshop was the first of two sessions in which both groups are seeking to foster mutual understandings of each other’s roles in the public safety.
The CeaseFire Reunion: Embracing Legacy, Inspiring the Future
Members of Chicago’s former community violence intervention organization CeaseFire, formerly known as Cure Violence, recently reunited, marking the organization’s historical contribution and its ongoing impact on gun violence prevention efforts.
Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, Metropolitan Peace Academy Host DOJ Reception
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.
Overheard at the 2024 CVIPI Grantee Conference
Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) and Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) were present at the 2024 Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) Grantee Conference which took place from April 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.
‘I Wanted to Change the Narrative’: How One Outreach Worker Transformed His Life
There’s something to be said about an individual who has the self-determination to change their circumstances, despite old habits or outside influences. One who doesn’t necessarily wait for the perfect time to change course, or for things to get “bad enough.” Instead, they have the vision to want more for themselves, their future, and for those around them.
WATCH NOW: MPI Executive Director Vaughn Bryant Talks Chicago Public Safety With WTTW
WTTW News hosted the latest installment of its live panel series entitled “VOICES: A WTTW News Community Conversation” on Monday, March 25, 2024 as an opportunity to discuss Chicago crime, violence, and public safety with key figures in the community violence intervention (CVI) space.
The Resilience of Noah White: Moments of Tragedy Turn into a Lifetime of Purpose
March 11, 2006 is a day Noah White will never forget. A day when the world as he knew it came crashing down.
DOJ Visits Metropolitan Peace Academy, Looks to Future of Community Violence Intervention Work
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) made an early morning site visit to the Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) Training & Wellness Center in Pilsen on Friday, March 15, 2024. The purpose of the meeting and subsequent tour was to give an overview of the Academy’s services, its commitment to reducing gun violence in Chicago, and its continued efforts in professionalizing the field of community violence intervention (CVI).
‘Movie at the Park’ Brings Film Favorites to Back of the Yards Neighborhood
Disney’s Big Hero 6 was the feature film of the evening at the latest installment of Movie at the Park, an event series hosted by the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council (BYNC) in partnership with the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (INVC).
Target Area Development Hosts Black History Family Feud Night
History enthusiasts and game show aficionados dusted off their memorized facts to participate in a Family Feud night hosted by Target Area Development at Lindblom Park. This event was part of Light in the Night, a Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) program aimed at reclaiming public spaces.
Chicago Gun Violence Survivors Pen Their Own Stories For Personal Essay Series
The Chicago Sun-Times and The Trace pulled back the curtain on their joint publication of “Chicago Stories of Survival,” an essay series detailing the personal experiences of gun violence across the city. The outlets hosted a pair of panel discussions at The Impact House on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
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 as part of Light in the Night (LIN), a Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) program aimed at reclaiming public spaces.
WATCH: CVI Leadership Academy Graduates Reflect on History-Making Experience
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. The event took place at the White House in Washington, D.C.
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.
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 Lab‘s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA).
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 Peace (CP4P) program aimed at reclaiming public spaces.