Together Chicago Details Violence Reduction Work in Near West Side

Area stakeholders and community members joined Together Chicago at the Near West Side’s Major Adams Community Center on August 29 for a Community Violence Intervention (CVI) presentation that detailed their violence reduction work.

Together Chicago CVI professional Marlon Ryals outlined the organization’s work, “Together Chicago’s vision is to be a catalyst for lasting change by reducing gun violence and increasing thriving communities in our city. Together Chicago is a proud member of Communities Partnering 4 Peace and practices its model to put the power into the communities’ hands.  Through strategic professionalized trainings via the Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, Street Outreach Professionals, Victim Services Advocates, and Case Managers are trained in areas of Trauma In-formed Care, Structural Violence, De-escalation and Crisis Response, Professionalism and Communication, Public Health and Crisis Protocols, and more. Violence Reduction teams employ the trainings into the community to reduce violence.”

Jonathan Banks, Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the significant reduction in shootings and homicides in the area since 2020 and commended the Together Chicago CVI professionals in attendance.

“I am greatly encouraged by tonight’s CVI event. We have had the opportunity to explore strategies and gain a deeper understanding of our collective impact in the violence reduction space. It was a blessed time, and we eagerly anticipate further collaboration with our Communities Partnering 4 Peace partners,” said Banks.

Community members expressed their gratitude for Together Chicago’s community engagement and appreciation for the efforts to keep the Near West Side safe.