Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Ending the cycle of gun violence in Chicago by addressing every phase. Choose Peace.

Building skills, confidence, and connections! 💼✨Our Workforce Development class recently put their interview skills to t...
09/30/2026

Building skills, confidence, and connections! 💼✨

Our Workforce Development class recently put their interview skills to the test through mock interviews with volunteers from Old National Bank. Participants had the opportunity to practice answering interview questions, receive valuable feedback, and sharpen the skills needed to take the next step in their careers.

A special thank you to the Old National Bank volunteers for sharing your time, expertise, and encouragement with our participants. Your support helps create meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development. And, of course, we added a little friendly competition!

Congratulations to our top three mock interview winners!🏆

Participants also joined a session on building social capital through networking, learning how meaningful relationships and professional connections can open doors to new opportunities.

From preparing for the interview to building the network behind the opportunity—we’re equipping participants with the tools to move forward with confidence.

09/11/2026

What does it really mean to be an outreach worker supporting individuals considered high-risk on Chicago’s West Side?

In this reel, INVC Outreach Worker Demetrius Chambers shares what it’s like to build relationships, show up consistently, and create opportunities for participants through community-based outreach.

From the streets to meaningful experiences beyond the neighborhood, outreach is about connection, trust, and creating pathways toward peace.

Where should we take our participants for our next outing? Drop your suggestions in the comments!

08/27/2026

On Saturday, August 22, Cameron Young, Behavioral Health Specialist at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, joined the conversation at the Mental Health Meets Hip Hop event. In this video, Cameron shares the Power of the Pause, a cognitive behavioral intervention strategy taught at INVC, along with another helpful tool for managing stress and regulating emotions: box breathing.

Orion Meadows, Nonviolence Trainer at INVC and author, also delivered a powerful spoken word poem calling community members to confront the issues surrounding violence and open their minds as they move toward healing.

Thank you to Mental Health Meets Hip Hop for creating a powerful platform for clinicians, social workers, artists, and community members to come together, share knowledge, and make mental health conversations more accessible through culture, creativity, and connection.

08/24/2026

What does peace mean to the people doing the work every day?

In this conversation, Peer Support Specialist Kerry Owens shares his perspective on what peace means to him, the role the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago plays in supporting communities, and what a peaceful future for Chicago could look like.

Peace isn’t just the absence of violence—it’s the presence of opportunity, support, healing, and community.

Hear Kerry’s vision for a safer, stronger, and more peaceful Chicago.

This week, members of the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago team joined hundreds of community violence intervention lead...
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.

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

Yesterday community leaders, advocates, and changemakers gathered at the Sankofa Center for Dr. Selwyn O. Rogers Jr.’s b...
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.

Our community is stronger when we come together. In response to the recent mass shooting in West Garfield Park, the Inst...
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

Our community is stronger when we come together. In response to the recent mass shooting in West Garfield Park, the Inst...
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.

Address

1856 N Leclaire Avenue Floor 3
Chicago, IL
60639

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 10pm
Friday 9am - 10pm
Saturday 9am - 10pm

Telephone

+17734177421

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