Story URL: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=88369
Story Retrieval Date: 2/9/2010 8:33:34 PM CST
Printer-Friendly Version
E-mail This Story
The Alliance for Community Peace helps Cabrini-Green area youth.
When it comes to ending youth violence, one group says it's already on it
by
Chloe Wiley
May 07, 2008
Chloe Wiley/Medill Reports
Participants head home after an afternoon filled with guest speakers, homework help and fun.
.jpg)
Chloe Wiley/Medill Reports
ACP after-school activities are held inside the Wayman African American Methodist Episcopal Church.
Related Links
www.allianceforcommunitypeace.orgAbout ACP:
-
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. and on alternating Saturdays
Summer month hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Not-for-profit, faith-based program
- Provides free services to at-risk youth in near north area of Chicago
- Offers: academic assistance; mentoring; career development and opportunities; recreation sport, cultural and artistic activities
- Sponsored by: Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Department of Youth Services, Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy, State’s Attorney of Cook County and Illinois Department of Public Health
Major Accomplishments:
Involvement in ACP programs have led to:
- School attendance increase with 80 percent of participants
- 70 percent of participant’s academic performance increase
- 85 percent decrease in antisocial behaviors amongst participants in and around area school, and against school officials and parents
How to get involved:
- Volunteer to be a mentor for after-school activities
- Visit the center to share career experiences
- Monetary donations
For more information call 312-943-8530 or email acpnn@sbcglobal.net
A buck can go a long way when you are trying to change the life of kid.
So as legislators debate about where -- or whether -- to find the money to pay for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s new plan to reduce youth violence, faith-based organizations say to anyone who doubts that they are doing a good job that the proof is in the pudding.
“Come and see our efforts -- we are dedicated to providing our young people with productive and engaging opportunities so they don’t just think about living day to day,” the Rev. Walter Johnson, executive director of the Alliance for Community Peace, said.
Every day more than 200 Cabrini-Green neighborhood kids can be found dancing, rapping or reading within the walls of Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church, home to the Alliance for Community Peace after-school program.
State and local officials have cited the alliance as a successful model for organizations aiming to combat youth violence by providing outlets for at-risk youth.
Johnson urges legislators to support the governor’s new Community Investment Works initiative. The plan would provide an additional $20 million for after-school programs in high-crime areas.
“We would love to bring more young people in, yet the challenge is for most organizations, faith- or community-based is funding,” Johnson said.
“They understand the community history and needs, and people respect and trust them,” said Joan Pernecke, program director for Project Reclaim at the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.
Project Reclaim funnels federal money to groups that essentially are providing alternatives to youth referred to them who are involved in gun violence, drugs, and to communities victimized by these youth.
Pernecke said youth involved in ACP programs have a 100 percent completion rate. Most juveniles referred to the program remain active after they have completed service hours with the program.
If Blagojevich's plan approved by the Illinois General Assembly, Johnson said the ACP would definitely apply for additional money that would allow them to reach more youth. But with summer quickly approaching, he wonders how soon the money would be available.
“We want to continue to be here in the community giving our support, guidance and, most importantly, love because often times these young people are coming from places where that love is not always expressed.”
