Southwest Organizing Project, Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation Hold Advocacy Meeting in Chicago Lawn

Southwest Organizing Project System Program Director Calvin Brown and Senior Case Manager Armando Mancilla present during a community violence intervention (CVI) advocacy meeting in collaboration with Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation.

Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) and Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR), two organizations representing Communities Partnering 4 Peace, joined forces to host a community violence intervention (CVI) advocacy meeting on Monday, September 23, 2024 in Chicago Lawn.

Leaders from the two organizations discussed the ways in which they are doing their part to help reduce gun violence the Back of the Yards, Gage Park, and Chicago Lawn neighborhoods.

Alderwoman Julia Ramirez (12th Ward) was in attendance, along with proxies representing several elected officials such as State Representative Aarón M. Ortíz, State Senator Javier Cervantes, and Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman (16th Ward). SWOP Director of Operations Chris Brown and PBMR Executive Director Father David Kelly were also on-hand to represent their respective organizations.

SWOP System Program Director Calvin Brown and Senior Case Manager Armando Mancilla spoke to the specific CVI work being done in their neighborhoods, which includes street outreach, case management, Light in the Night events, and more. As a result, the organization has seen a 37 percent reduction in shootings from 2020 to 2024.

“What we would like to have more of to create better numbers is resources, continuous resources,” Brown said, driving home the point that sustained funding is needed at the local, state, and federal levels.

“People are not just going to come off the street. And it’s hard to convince somebody to [leave the streets] who feels they’re doing better than what you can offer. You must have something to offer them.”

Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Policy Analyst A’Keisha Lee highlighted the tireless work of street outreach workers in Chicago Lawn who make it their mission to keep the peace. From April 2024 to June 2024, these men and women hosted 300 events and engaged 700 community members.

“Because of the work of SWOP, Precious Blood Ministries, and CP4P, lives are protected and saved, families have more places to commune with their neighbors, and community-affirming resources are more available,” Lee said. “[…] We need to secure further investments from the city and state to allow CVI to expand its programming and fully realize our goal of engaging those at the highest risk of gun violence.”

SWOP and PBMR are just two of 15 Chicago organizations representing CP4P, a coalition of nonprofit organizations focused on gun violence prevention across 28 neighborhoods.