Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

07/23/2026

This week, members of the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago team joined hundreds of community violence intervention leaders, practitioners, advocates, and researchers from across the country and around the world at the 2026 Giffords Community Violence Intervention Conference.

As the nation’s largest gathering dedicated exclusively to CVI, the conference created space to learn, collaborate, and strengthen the strategies that are helping save lives and build safer communities every day.

From engaging workshops and thought-provoking panels to meaningful conversations with partners across the field, our team returned inspired and even more committed to advancing evidence-based, community-led solutions that interrupt violence before it happens.

Real public safety is built through partnership, prevention, and investment in people. We’re proud to stand alongside organizations nationwide working to create lasting change.

07/23/2026

The inaugural Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Film Festival brought together civic leaders, community partners, advocates, and changemakers for an evening of powerful storytelling and meaningful conversation.

Following a series of short films highlighting community-led violence prevention efforts, moderator Eddie Bocanegra sat down with Rubye Lane, Benny Lee, Nekenya Hardy, and Marcus McAllister to discuss how Community Violence Intervention is creating safer neighborhoods through healing, trust, and investment—not just response.

When we center the voices of those closest to the work, we move closer to solutions that save lives and strengthen communities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in advancing the conversation around prevention, partnership, and peace. Together, we’re building a safer Chicago.

07/22/2026

Let’s honor the lives lost, stand with survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to building safer, stronger communities where healing is possible.

Gun violence leaves lasting impacts, but healing happens when communities come together with compassion, support, and hope. Join us as we remember, reflect, and continue the work of turning pain into purpose.

🗓 Monday, July 27
🕒 3:00–5:00 PM
📍 734 S. Springfield Ave., Chicago

Together, we remember. Together, we heal. Together, we rise. ❤️🕊️

GarfieldPark HealingCentered ViolencePrevention

07/15/2026

Yesterday community leaders, advocates, and changemakers gathered at the Sankofa Center for Dr. Selwyn O. Rogers Jr.’s book signing and discussion of Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic, hosted by the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago.

A central theme of the conversation challenged how we think about public safety: communities don’t become worthy of investment because they’re safe—they become safer because they’re invested in. Real public safety requires sustained investment in people, neighborhoods, healing, and opportunity before violence happens.

One of the evening’s most powerful moments highlighted the transformative impact of community support. A story of perseverance, accountability, and second chances served as a reminder that lasting change is possible when people have access to care, stability, and organizations that refuse to give up on them.

As Dr. Rogers shared, “We have to create the conditions for people to have a good first chance, so we don’t spend so much trying to give them a better second one.”

Preventing gun violence means more than responding to crises—it means building the conditions where every person and every community has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you to Dr. Selwyn O. Rogers Jr., Arne Duncan, Teny Oded Gross, and everyone who joined this important conversation about healing, prevention, and investing in safer communities.

07/08/2026

Our community is stronger when we come together.

In response to the recent mass shooting in West Garfield Park, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, alongside the Chicago Police Department, Breakthrough, and community partners, is opening an Emergency Assistance Center (EAC) to provide immediate support, healing, and resources for those impacted.

📍 Sankofa Village Wellness Center
📅 Tuesday, July 8
🕓 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Whether you witnessed an incident in the past, are a survivor, lost a loved one, or simply need support, you are not alone. Services and resources will be available to help individuals and families begin the healing process.

Healing happens in community. Together, we support one another. Together, we move forward.

SupportServices HealingTogether CommunityStrong

07/07/2026

Our community is stronger when we come together.

In response to the recent mass shooting in West Garfield Park, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, alongside the Chicago Police Department, Breakthrough, and community partners, is opening an Emergency Assistance Center (EAC) to provide immediate support, healing, and resources for those impacted.

📍 Sankofa Village Wellness Center
📅 Tuesday, July 8
🕓 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Whether you witnessed an incident in the past, are a survivor, lost a loved one, or simply need support, you are not alone. Services and resources will be available to help individuals and families begin the healing process.

Healing happens in community. Together, we support one another. Together, we move forward.

07/04/2026

This Fourth of July, we celebrate the promise of freedom while remembering that, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, true independence is measured by justice, equality, and peace for all. Freedom is more than a date on the calendar—it is a responsibility to build communities where every person can live without fear of violence.

As we gather with family and friends today, let us honor that vision by looking out for one another, choosing peace over conflict, and helping create safer neighborhoods for everyone.

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day.
❤️ Enjoy.
🎆 Stay Safe.
✌🏾 Choose Peace.

CommunitySafety MLK InstituteForNonviolenceChicago

07/01/2026

Summer often brings an increase in gun violence across Chicago, but behind every statistic are people working every day to change the outcome.

Community Violence Intervention (CVI) isn’t about reacting after violence happens—it’s about preventing it through relationships, trust, and lived experience. Peacekeepers meet people where they are, interrupt cycles of violence, and create pathways to hope before another life is lost.

The work isn’t easy, and it rarely makes headlines, but every conversation, every intervention, and every life impacted matters.

As Samuel Castro said, “There’s no magical powder in the air. There’s real humans doing the work.” Here’s to the people running toward the fire so our communities can one day live free from it. 🕊️

Full article link in bio.

EndGunViolence ViolencePrevention CommunityHealing HopeInAction

06/25/2026

Remembering Shay today and reflecting on the weight CVI frontline staff carry as they are immersed in trauma daily working to make this city safer for everyone and heal their communities from gun violence.

The Toll of Work that Never Ends

06/24/2026

Chicago needs a Department of Gun Violence Reduction.

Together, we can make Chicago safer and save lives.

After a series of shootings, community leaders call for the city to advance its violation prevention strategy.