Across Chicago, 132 hard-working community organizations have received our Safe and Peaceful Community grants! #SafePeacefulChiCongratulations!
Alliance of Southeast Side Youth Leadership-South Chicago
Alianza Leadership Institute South Chicago
Archi-Treasures Association South Chicago
8000 Constance Block Club South Shore
B.Fli Productions Inc South Shore
Chicago Womens Aids Project South Shore
Chi-Shorties South Shore
Christianaire South Shore
I Am My Brother’s Keeper Unity Day South Shore
Real Men Charities Inc South Shore
Recondition Community Cooperative South Shore
South Merrill Community Garden South Shore
ABJ Community Service
Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation
Real Men Charities
Lost Boyz
FOR RELEASE
Monday, May 14, 2018
CONTACT
Sonya M. Lewis, 708-439-0326
Kimberly Rudd, 773-213-6325
$850,000 in grants to 132 organizations for Summer and Fall programs
CHICAGO — For the third year in a row, neighborhood organizations in Chicago working to reduce gun violence will receive grants to help reclaim parks, streets and public areas and build community cohesion. Last week, the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) awarded 132 grants, totaling $850,000, to fund activities this summer and fall in 19 prioritized communities. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000.
“With each application cycle, we grow more and more impressed and inspired by the proposals, and the earnestness and eagerness with which these organizations and community residents seek to serve and support their communities,” says Deborah E. Bennett of Polk Bros. Foundation, who oversees the community grants review process for the Partnership.
Over 300 community groups applied for the grants Bennett said, adding, “They were all deserving and inspiring. The movement for a safe and peaceful Chicago is alive and well in our communities. These investments are just one part of a much larger effort to reduce gun violence.”
Each of the prioritized communities will have activities funded for all age groups, starting after Memorial Day and concluding on or before Halloween. Stories of these activities will be featured on the Safe and Peaceful website and, at @safepeacefulchi, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Examples of activities funded include arts programs, mentoring programs, and marches for peace.
The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) is a coalition of more than 30 Chicago funders and foundations who have collectively committed more than $40 million dollars to support proven and promising responses to gun violence.
The community grants, which are technically awarded by The Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities, is one component of a comprehensive strategy that also includes direct interventions with young people at risk, police reforms that are helping rebuild trust with the community and strengthen law enforcement, and gun policy reform.
The community grants began in the summer of 2016 when gun violence in Chicago was spiking.In its first year, the Fund issued 72 grants totaling $500,000. Last year, the Fund issued 120 grants totaling $850,000.
South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Councils Reward Grant from The Friends of the Park.
Chicago is world renowned as an arts powerhouse; it is the birthplace of urban blues, Gospel music, house music and so much more. Many of these artistic legends are still alive and LIVING in Chicago. The South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council received a 2018 Seed Grant for $900 to partner with one of these legends, Maggie Brown, on music and youth programming at the cultural center through the Community for Unity Program.
Linda Young initiated and processed the Friends of the Park seed grant did a great job!
