Sunday, November 22, 2009

Slow Road to Peace


The Chicago Police and Park District organized a stop the violence forum in Back of the Yards on Saturday, Nov. 21st. It was organized fairly last minute, but youth from Nuevos Exitos attended and brought the finished Peace Quilt (see past blog post). You can see the quilt in the photo, hanging behind Police Commissioner Weis and Alderman Cardenas. Cassandra Cortes, Chicago Commons Youth Specialist, is speaking.

The forum gave several parents a chance to voice their specific frustrations to the Police Department which will probably result in some targeted follow up for them. But, last minute forums like this one probably do little to stem the tide of violence. Commissioner Weis acknowledge this, stating that the police can only be as aggressive combating violence as the neighborhood will allow. To that end, Commons must seek more ways to engage with the police, parents and others in an ongoing way. Ongoing communication within the neighborhood is the only true solution, and much harder than it sounds.


Friday, November 13, 2009

Moving Forward


Youth violence, such as the death of Gama Toscano, is devastating in many ways, including the way it saps the morale of our students. It is up to the adults to counteract this through conversations and by showing interest in young people who are doing positive things.

To that end, Chicago Commons and the Illinois Department of Human Services is hosting a Stop the Violence forum on Thursday, November 19, 4 p.m., at Paulo Freire Center at 1653 West 43rd.

Students will present their work including a Day of the Dead exhibit, a peace quilt and a "street art" project where students produced and installed positive messages around the neighborhood, such as in the photo shown.
If you want to join us at the forum, RSVP to garzal@chicagocommons.org.