The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) supports the broad goals of the InVEST campaign to reduce violence in Chicago through effective and sustained community programs.
InVEST's broad goals reflect the objectives of PSPC, a coalition of 40 funders and foundations established in 2016 and united by a multifaceted approach toward reducing gun violence in Chicago. PSPC supports a variety of strategies:
However, philanthropic investments cannot be sustained at this level over the long term. Our hope is that after this infusion of early-stage private sector and foundation funding and testing, the most promising, evidence-based solutions to reduce violence and transform police-community relations could be replicated and scaled with an infusion of sustained public funding.
The Mayor's Office of Gun Violence Prevention is a good first step, and we supported the conversations to create the framework for a Community Commission to advise that office. The office must be empowered to implement a plan that incorporates the promising solutions — including jobs, counseling and trauma support for families, and street outreach to mediate conflict — that are being tested through PSPC.
With a new mayor coming to City Hall in May, we have an opportunity to create a comprehensive citywide violence reduction plan, informed by evidence and strengthened by collaboration.
If you are an employer, you can hire young people at risk. If you are a community leader, you can help improve police-community relations. If you are a health care provider, you can support trauma-informed care to gun violence victims. If you are a funder, you can support any one of these efforts. Whatever you do, your voice matters when you speak up in support of policies that can make our neighborhoods safer. Reach out to learn more.
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