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* The state finally has the money to up its investments in anti-violence initiatives, but it will take a while to get new programs off the ground because both Gov. Bruce Rauner and Mayor Rahm Emanuel eviscerated the programs. Here’s an existing program which shows real promise…
Last year, Taylor was shot by rival gang members while he was walking to the store. His first thought was revenge. But anti-violence workers from the Youth Peace Center in Roseland and the gun violence nonprofit Chicago CRED heard about the shooting and were worried about retaliation.
They got Taylor’s number from a CRED participant who knew Taylor from the neighborhood. They called him and helped talk him out of going back at the group who shot him.
This time the people telling him to put the gun down were actually offering an alternative. The CRED program offers life coaching, job training, a salary and online classes to get a high school diploma.
On Thursday, Taylor, now 28, will be one of 46 men and women from the CRED program to celebrate earning their high school degree. These are people fighting to get out of a life of gun violence. People who, like Taylor, have already started down a new path, and who are hopeful their high school diplomas will be as big a turning point in their lives as when they joined a gang or first carried a gun.
Richard Blackmon, a Chicago CRED life coach, pointed to data showing the vast majority of prison inmates do not have a high school degree as evidence of what a difference the diploma can make.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 10:33 am
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Really good reporting by WBEZ Chicago.
This seems like a very good program.
Best wishes to the coach’s and the people in the story.
If these young people cannot get a job in their 20’s you have to wonder where they will be in their 40’s.
The fact that this program has worked for so many people is a reason to invest in this kind of initiative.
Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 10:47 am
Also from ‘BEZ, “Chicago’s most recent spending plan budgets $16.5 million for “violence prevention and reduction.” By contrast the city budgeted $1.7 billion for the Police Department. The violence prevention funding is centered in the city’s Department of Health, specifically in the Office of Violence Prevention.”
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 10:55 am
Also for those of you that live in Cook County Toni Preckwinkle wants to know how to spend on billion of American Rescue Plan money. Maybe more things like this?
www.engagecookcounty.com
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 11:05 am
nice reporting on a good program. WBEZ also reported on people on bond including on ankle monitors and claimed it was not a problem with many shooting while out. CWBChicago has better figures on what is actually happening and it is frightening. at the same time wonderful programs are in use it is vital to deal properly with those who are violent.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 11:13 am
=On Thursday, Taylor, now 28, will be one of 46 men and women from the CRED program to celebrate earning their high school degree.=
$6 people with some hope. There has never been a better time for them to find emplyment that pays halfway decent either.
Now, if Chicago would allocate just 10% of what they pay in settlements for police lawsuits, this program could cover thousands.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 2:42 pm