Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

04/15/2026

Many of the biggest risks to young people in the U.S. stem from in-the-moment decisions. The good news is that it’s possible to teach young people to avoid predictable decision-making traps with cognitive behavioral interventions.

The University of Chicago Urban Labs have created Every Choice Has Opportunity (ECHO), a free, open-source curriculum that any organization can deliver with their existing staff.

The curriculum is informed by insights from over two decades of research on cognitive behavioral interventions for improving opportunities for school-aged youth at elevated risk of gun violence involvement.

We’re proud that Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s Associate Director of Behavioral Health, Kelly Carrol, was part of the team developing this curriculum along with several other experts in the field.

We hope provides a model of what is possible when life-changing, skill-building curricula are accessible to the people who can benefit from it the most.

Learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0WJA0nEx3k&feature=youtu.be

The University of Chicago

04/14/2026

🎉Exciting news for Back of the Yards! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/14/brighton-park-neighborhood-council-unveils-new-community-center/

Block Club Chicago

The center opens in June and will be a central hub for the nonprofit to offer legal aid, youth mentoring, nutrition workshops and housing support.

04/13/2026

MUST LISTEN: Powerful stories of compassion and empathy. 😔 ❤️
Hear Dr. Selwyn O. Rogers Jr. explain what it's really like to be a trauma surgeon on the South side of Chicago.
https://insights.som.yale.edu/podcasts/health-veritas/selwyn-rogers-bearing-witness-to-violence

"Gun violence in this country is not a them-problem. It's an us-problem. It's a we-problem."

Working together, we can solve gun violence. ☮️

04/03/2026

We are a proud coalition member of Home for Good (SB4162) legislation—increasing housing access for people leaving prison. Illinois must take action to improve its reentry strategy, which will reap long-term social and economic benefits. Join us in supporting (SB4162) https://homeforgoodillinois.com

“This is not a handout – Home for Good is a hand UP” - Illinois Rep. Maurice West. Thanks to everyone who attended our town hall in Rockford to learn why housing is such a critical factor of reentry. Visit homeforgoodillinois.com to help build stronger communities!

04/02/2026

"We fail whenever we have a funeral." - Teny Gross

While rates of gun violence have fallen steadily across Chicago with 2025 being the safest year since 1965 (thanks in part, to organizations throughout the city) there is still work to be done.

We don't want to see another life taken to senseless gun violence. That is why we work collaboratively and with a purpose.

Chicago has a plan to solve violence, and it's working.

Learn more at https://www.nonviolencechicago.org/civilianarchitecture and invite us to your next gathering, so we can share more in person!

Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P

04/01/2026

LIGHT IN THE NIGHT IS BACK!! 🎶😎🍦
Our April events for Austin & West Garfield Park are scheduled! Mark your calendars. We hope to see you soon!☮️❤️

📍AUSTIN
All events are held from 4-6pm
Wednesday, April 1 - Lafollette Park - 1333 N. Laramie
Thursday, April 2 - Lafollette Park - 1333 N. Laramie
Thursday, April 9 - Pop Courts - Chicago & Lockwood
Friday, April 10 - Pop Courts - Chicago & Lockwood
Thursday, April 16 - Hubbard Park - Lavergne & Hubbard
Friday, April 17 - Hubbard Park - Lavergne & Hubbard
Thursday, April 23 - Levin Park - 5458 W. Kinzie
Friday, April 24 Levin Park 5458 W. Kinzie
Thursday, April 30 - Cottonwood Park - 5058 W. Westend
Friday, May 1 - Cottonwood Park - 5058 W. Westend

📍WEST GARFIELD PARK
All events are held from 4-6pm
Thursday, April 2 - Kildare & Adams
Friday, April 3 - Kildare & Adams
Thursday, April 9 - Springfield & Adams
Friday, April 10 - Springfield & Adams
Thursday, April 16 - Gladys & Kilpatrick
Friday, April 17 - Monroe & Kilpatrick
Thursday, April 23 - Kostner & Lake
Friday, April 24 - Kostner & Monroe

Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P

03/31/2026

Metropolitan Peace Initiatives and Institute for Nonviolence Chicago joined forces to speak about the impact of at Junior League of Chicago on Saturday, March 28. Junior League members who are serious about safety in the City of Chicago had the opportunity to hear about the transformative impact of CVI through our new short film, "Choose Peace."

The film was followed by an engaging panel featuring CVI leaders discussing the unique design of the CVI civilian infrastructure, the collaborative nature of the work across the ecosystem, and how civic minded individuals like themselves can continue to stay connected.

Interested in seeing the film and co-hosting a screening? DM us! or Email info@nonviolencechicago.org

Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P

03/30/2026

Street outreach isn't only about mediating conflict. It's about building relationships within the community on all the blocks. 🤝🏽 ❤️

Outreach workers provide:
☮️Mentoring
☮️Nonviolence Training
☮️Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
☮️Job Assistance
☮️Crisis Intervention
☮️Community Engagement

Learn more at https://www.nonviolencechicago.org/preventingviolence

📸: Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune

Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P

03/25/2026

Since 2016, we served 4,070 participants.

We recognize people need alternatives to violence and assistance in accessing and staying engaged with those alternatives. Case Managers provide individuals with the support and services they need to stay safe. They work with participants to individualize services to meet their self-identified needs and goals. Case management is an integral part of the long-term sustainability of peace in a community. ☮️

Learn more at https://www.nonviolencechicago.org/pathwaystopeace

Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P

03/23/2026

CHICAGO IS MORE AMBITIOUS THAN ANY OTHER CITY
Did you catch Say More with Mary Dixon & Patrick Smith on WBEZ last month? They discussed “What’s driving the historic drop in Chicago crime and violence" with special guest, Teny Oded Gross . Teny shared why Chicago is more ambitious than any other city in the U.S.

“People from around the country are coming to Chicago to learn what we're doing."

Find out why by listening to the interview.

Plus, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Assoc. Dir of Support Services, Les Jenkins, along with participants from Nonviolence Chicago and Chicago CRED called in to share their stories of what made them transform their lives.

Listen to the edited podcast now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXpu2g0bGqc
Keefe Hardy

03/20/2026

🎥 🎞️ Choose Peace is a powerful short film that captures what truly looks like on the ground. For those who want to better understand what CVI looks like beyond headlines and statistics, this film offers a powerful window into the human work behind Chicago’s historic decline in violence. It is a reminder that peace is not accidental — it is chosen. ☮️

WANT TO SEE THE FULL 10-MIN. FILM? Co-host an informal screening with us. Message us to discuss more.

We’d love to share the film with you, your friends, family, colleagues, and community. 🤩


Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Teny Oded Gross Keefe Hardy

03/19/2026

Don't forget to register!
We Are Our Own Medicine is a community-centered conference that promotes: a) awareness, b) healing, c) prevention, d) leadership, e) training

The We Are Our Own Medicine Gun Violence Prevention Conference/Activation offers a collaborative, in-person experience that leverages unique, cross-sector expertise to strengthen our community through education, training, and partnerships that provides a platform to exchange knowledge and refine our safety initiatives.

More than 500 people are expected for this year’s conference, with breakout sessions giving voice to our youth, families impacted by gun violence and funders sharing best practices for grant writing and violence prevention programming.

REGISTER NOW https://www.simpletix.com/e/we-are-our-own-medicine-gvp-conference-202-tickets-256929?fbclid=IwY2xjawQAT91leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETJVZ0dmeU1KZDVWcEtXZ2Vac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrnoEr9B506OJv51jMg6nU3Rsct9C_ZryLQsBWTxz5RvoT7YA3-Bn1vemRU9_aem_k79OOB6fSWMoW7fZcots0Q