In the News

OCTOBER 31, 2024: Kids turn out for UCAN Halloween Party on Chicago's West Side

Sara Machi reports from a party at UCAN on the city’s West Side, where the primary focus is on kids who are in the custody of the state or who have been removed from their home. A free costume library has been made available.

October 23, 2024: Chicago gun violence prevention groups hold march to the polls

October 19, 2024: Chicago group works to reduce crime and violence in the city - CBS News

As the presidential election nears, the issue of crime is weighing on the minds of voters. A CBS News poll taken earlier this year found 63% of voters said crime would be a factor in who they vote for, despite FBI data showing reported violent crime fell in 2023. In Chicago, a group of women is trying to continue to lower crime rates end the cycle of violence in the city

September 26, 2024: Chicago’s Gun Violence Is Becoming Deadlier. Experts Consider Why (thetrace.org)

A new Trace analysis shows a decreasing percentage of Chicagoans survive gunfire. Researchers, experts, and community members say access to more lethal weapons and devices that make guns more dangerous are to blame.

September 4, 2024: Community groups restore North Lawndale basketball court, turning neglect into neighborhood pride • The TRiiBE

In Chicago, the removal of basketball hoops and rims has been a growing concern across both city parks and other recreational spaces, with numerous courts affected, including those outside traditional park boundaries. Factors such as increased vandalism, rising maintenance costs, and the shifting priorities of park management officials have contributed to this decline.

June 21, 2024 – UCAN Hosts Mayoral Press Conference Announcing Expansion of ESVF Program:

February 16, 2024: SheRo Program from social services agency UCAN Chicago helps heal women most at risk for violence (Chicago Tribune)

Just off the lobby at the gated North Lawndale campus of the social service agency UCAN sits a room where women, mainly mothers, convene for hours sharing stories about their lives and children, their successes and frustrations. This is a safe space, one where the violence that touched these women’s lives isn’t the focal point.

November 10, 2023: At Restorative Justice Court Graduation,Young Men Caught In The System Get A Second Chance (blockclubchicago.org)

The restorative justice program graduated 46 participants Thursday, giving young, nonviolent offenders a clean slate and chance to start over.

November 6, 2023: Amid the city’s mass shootings, community groups work to prevent more bloodshed – Austin Weekly News

After an overnight mass shooting injured at least 15 people in North Lawndale on Oct. 29, a number of community partners and city agencies stepped in to coordinate services for victims and their families

November 2, 2023: What do survivors of mass shootings need to recover? | WBEZ Chicago

There was a mass shooting at a Halloween party in North Lawndale last weekend where at least 15 people were wounded. Last year, there was also a mass shooting over Halloween that killed one person and wounded 13 more in East Garfield Park.

Reset learns about this recent shooting and what survivors of gun violence need to heal from the physical and emotional trauma of gun violence.

November 1, 2023: Trauma Resource Center Open In North Lawndale After Mass Shooting (blockclubchicago.org)

Violence prevention and trauma response organizers from around the city are stepping up after a mass shooting at a North Lawndale Halloween party.

August 1, 2023: ‘I wish I could say it was something new:’ Police, activists step in to assist in city’s latest mass shooting in North Lawndale (chicagotribune.com)

At a corner in North Lawndale, the familiar tune of an ice cream truck rang out as it drove past crowds of community leaders and advocates who wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere for those in the neighborhood affected by gun violence looking for resources.

August 1, 2023: Mom loses daughter in West Side mass shooting, second child to be shot to death. – Chicago Sun-Times (suntimes.com)

Kanesha Gaines was at a backyard birthday party in the 1500 block of South Keeler Avenue when a black Jeep pulled up early Sunday and several gunmen opened fire, striking nine people, police said.

June 15, 2023: Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity teams up with UCAN Chicago for anti-violence program on Chicago’s West Side – My Fraternity

Starting on Saturday June 3, 2023, at 10:00 AM, the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Iota Delta Lambda Chapter Ideal Education Foundation in collaboration with UCAN Chicago will host an anti-violence prevention program on the west side of Chicago. The program consists of three consecutive Saturdays staring on June 3rd, 10th, and 17th with the last day occurring on the Sunday the 18th.

JUNE 10, 2023: CHICAGO BUSINESS GROUP BACKS BIG PUSH INTO VIOLENCE PREVENTION

CHICAGO—Crime was the biggest issue in this spring’s Chicago mayoral race, and business leaders largely supported Paul Vallas, whose solution was putting more cops on the street.

JUNE 8, 2023: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS TAKE INTEREST IN, PRAISE CHICAGO ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAMS

Chicago is known for having high levels of violence, but it’s also generating buzz for violence prevention. Top Justice Department officials visited the West Side to meet Thursday with officials behind Chicago’s rapidly expanding network of community-based anti-violence programs.

APRIL 7, 2023: CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO RE-ENGAGE STUDENTS WHO DROPPED OUT (NBC 5)

The UCAN team is fully engaged as one of the community-based organizations in the Back To Our Future initiative that supports youth and young adults in returning to school and gaining skills and opportunities to join the workforce. Check out this feature on NBC 5 Chicago.

OCTOBER 24, 2022: NORTH LAWNDALE COLLABORATIVE OFFERS REAL PROMISE ON VIOLENCE REDUCTION (CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS)

The partnership, which receives public and private funding, deserves to be scaled, say the leaders of three violence prevention organizations.

The collaborative is unique because of the level of coordination and commitment among our partners. It includes two community organizations, the North Lawndale Employment Network, and UCAN as well other community partners in adjacent neighborhoods. Chicago police are also fully aware of the outreach work we do, and they recognize its value.

OCTOBER 13, 2022: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM HELPS DISMISS, EXPUNGE NON-VIOLENT CHARGES (ABC7)

JULY 30, 2022: THE HONEYCOMB PROJECT SUMMER SWARM (WGN)

JULY 27, 2022: CHICAGO NONPROFIT COLLECTING FREE SUPPLIES FOR LOCAL COLLEGE STUDENTS (ABC7)

Hundreds of students from the North Lawndale community will get backpacks, bedsheets and other essentials on Aug. 5, before heading off to school.

JULY 11, 2022: EVERYDAY VIOLENCE – UCAN (WBBM NEWSRADIO)

Christa Hamilton, CEO of the Social Service agency UCAN, talks with Craig Dellimore about the organization’s efforts to help strengthen communities plagued by gun violence.

JUNE 21, 2022: UCAN HOLDS ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS IN HONOR OF LOCAL YOUTH (CHICAGO LEADER)

People listen to a speaker at the leadership awards UCAN hosted its 23rd Annual Youth Leadership Awards (YLA) on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, to honor Chicago youth from the West Side. The YLA event typically awards seven recipients with scholarships for higher education. This year, a total of nine young people were honored at the event.

JUNE 20, 2022: UCAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDEES FEATURED IN CRAIN’S “PEOPLE ON THE MOVE” PEOPLE ON THE MOVE LISTING | CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS

MARCH 18, 2022: CHICAGOANS ARRESTED FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION ARE GETTING CRASH COURSE IN THE LEGAL WEED BUSINESS (BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO)

The Olive Harvey College program aims to create more racial equity in the weed industry — from the ground up. It’s on track to have an associate’s degree in cannabis studies by next year.