Video & Photo Gallery
A glimpse at our work across our communities.
VIDEOS
Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, a division of Metropolitan Family Services
Our mission is to coordinate, support and sustain a cross-agency infrastructure made up of local community-based and citywide organizations that deliver a comprehensive set of services to heal communities at the highest risk for violence. Our focus includes:
- Behavioral health
- Metropolitan Peace Academy
- Workforce development
- Legal aid
- Organizational development
“We responded, as we always do, to the community’s needs.”
Behavioral Health
Counseling and mental health services empower individuals to develop their strengths, maximizing stability for themselves and their families.
- Support combines clinical expertise, research, and participants’ own values
- Bilingual (English & Spanish)
- Services for individuals, groups, and families
- Links to community-based healthcare providers
“People need to know how to cope with all of this. It’s okay to need help.“
Metropolitan Peace Academy
The Metropolitan Peace Academy professionalizes the field of street outreach through intensive training for outreach professionals. Curriculum focuses on:
- Nonviolence
- Trauma-informed services
- Restorative justice
“At the Metropolitan Peace Academy, we are changing lives every day.“
Legal Aid Justice Corps
Individualized legal services offer justice-involved adults the opportunity to move past legal issues and barriers holding them back from success
- Free & community-based
- Service areas include expungement, employment, housing, public benefits, crime victim services, human trafficking, immigration, elder law and domestic violence
“Our services are free of charge to individuals and it’s all-encompassing.”
Time-lapse video of the painting of the mural by Mauricio Ramirez at the Metropolitan Peace Academy. (Video courtesy of Wight & Company)
Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) leaders reflect on their time at the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy.
Outreach Cohort 15 graduate Fantasia Smith reflects on her experience at the Metropolitan Peace Academy.
Victim Services Cohort 1 graduate Roscio Vasquez reflects on her experience at the Metropolitan Peace Academy.
Outreach Cohort 14 graduate Edward Davis (a.k.a. Coach Aimin) reflects on his experience at the Metropolitan Peace Academy.
Case Management Cohort 6 graduate Jason Rodriguez reflects on his experience at the Metropolitan Peace Academy.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Senior Field Manager of Field Operations Billy “Bo” Deal discusses the positive impact he’s made on the communities he serves.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Field Manager Carla Galvan gives some advice to those entering community violence intervention (CVI) work.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Field Manager Andre Lawrence discusses the impact the Academy has had on his life.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Senior Field Manager Jesus Salazar discusses the impact the Academy has had on his life.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Field Manager Jaron Washington discusses the impact the Academy has had on his life.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Field Manager Joseph “Joewaine” Washington shares the hopes and dreams he has for community violence intervention (CVI) work.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Field Manager Lamont Coakley gives some advice to those entering community violence intervention (CVI) work.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Field Manager Demetrius Bunch discusses a positive moment of growth he saw in his community violence intervention (CVI) work.
Metropolitan Peace Academy Field Manager Reginald Woods discusses the positive impact he’s made on the communities he serves.
The Metropolitan Peace Initiatives’ Metropolitan Peace Academy honors four graduating cohort classes on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at South Shore Cultural Center.
The Metropolitan Peace Initiatives celebrates the grand opening of the Metropolitan Peace Academy Training & Wellness Center with a special ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, January 12, 2024 in Pilsen.
