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GUN VIOLENCE IS
KILLING OUR CITY.
BUT WE CAN END IT. 
IF WE WORK TOGETHER.

LIKE A KING.

ENDING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO BY ADDRESSING EVERY PHASE.

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is a respected leader in gun violence prevention, intervention, and reduction. Our critical work heals and restores Chicago communities with the highest incidences of shootings. 

 

Our values and actions are guided by the nonviolence principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Like Dr. King, we believe everyone has a part to play in ending gun violence. Our evidence-based model brings together civilians and organizations to implement wraparound services for high-risk individuals in Austin, West Garfield Park, Back of the Yards, and portions of Brighton Park—bringing more peace, compassion, hope, and love to our streets and keeping Chicago safe

for generations.

TOGETHER, WE CAN BRING PEACE TO CHICAGO’S UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS. 

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago was founded in 2016 by Teny Gross, a lifelong peace activist who has built successful nonviolence models around the country. Our growing organization is made up of over 100 outreach workers, victim advocates, reentry specialists, behavioral health specialists, nonviolence trainers, case managers, and more. Hand in hand with our neighbors and community partners, we can drastically reduce gun violence in Chicago.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago staff and program participants describe the cycle of violence in our city, and how we work to provide alternatives to the street. We believe that the men and women who were once considered part of the problem are now the solution to gun violence and the only ones who can heal communities.

OUR PARTNERS

Breakthrough
Chicago Cred
CP4P
Corners
MPI
New Life Centers
PSPC
PBMR

OUR HOLISTIC SUITE OF SERVICES FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

We’re solving the gun violence crisis in Chicago among those at highest risk using our 6 core services:

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  1. 24/7 Street Outreach 

  2. Victim Support 

  3. Employment & Job Readiness Programs

  4. Education & Nonviolence Training

  5. Mental & Behavioral Health

  6. Case Management & Life Coaching

Violence is both systemic and personal, affecting the whole person and their community with long-lasting impacts. We help individuals at highest risk change their lives for good through a trauma-informed framework. Our programs give participants the tools to grow, heal, and thrive—lowering the risk of recurring violence.

#1 CONNECTING WITH HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS

Our outreach workers are at home within their communities. They focus on those most likely to be caught in the cycle of violence. Through partnerships with Northwestern University’s Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science (CORNERS), supplemental data assists outreach teams in concentrating their life-saving efforts to intervene and support those most at risk. They relentlessly engage with them to build lasting trust, promote nonviolence, and begin the individual healing process.

TOGETHER WE ARE SAVING LIVES

Progress doesn't happen by chance. It begins with people at highest risk choosing to put down their guns and live more safely—and it grows through a powerful network of community violence intervention (CVI) organizations, alongside government, philanthropy, business, law enforcement, faith, and community partners.

OUR IMPACT SINCE 2016

72% decrease in shootings in Austin.​​

​

48% decrease in shootings in West Garfield Park.

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74% decrease in shootings in Back of the Yards.

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4,070 participants engaged in programs and services.

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6,759 conflict mediations were conducted that likely prevented a shooting.

For every high-risk individual we reach, at least three more are in need. Our critical work depends on the contributions of our partners and our donors. 

 

Join us in our mission to end gun violence in Chicago. Donate today. 

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