Get IN Chicago Announces $2.8 Million to Programs in Neighborhoods Hardest Hit by Violence

CHICAGO (Aug. 26) – Get IN Chicago (GIC), a public/private partnership, is awarding more than $2.8 million in grants to programs addressing violence, improving safety and providing opportunities for youth living in high-crime neighborhoods.

This brings GIC grants to $7.8 million so far in 2015, which is more than the organization’s total grant giving in 2013 and 2014 combined.

“True to our name, we have spent the last two years getting into Chicago communities, understanding their needs and building an infrastructure to effectively address neighborhood challenges,” said Toni Irving, Ph.D., executive director, Get IN Chicago. “Our grants support community organizations that provide kids with hope for the future, educational opportunities so they can achieve success, and safer neighborhoods to grow up in.”

The three initiatives receiving $2.8 million combine to reach more than 1,277 youth:

Fall 2015 Programs – GIC has awarded $1.6 million to six new partners: BBF Family Services, City Year, Greater Englewood CDC, Metropolitan Family Services, Primo Center for Women and Children, and Teamwork Englewood. These organizations will provide technology workforce development, such as IT, coding and web development training, as well as mentoring and mental health therapy to more than 700 at-risk youth.

COFI, Leave No Veteran Behind, and Sweet Water Foundation are among the recipients of Youth Shout Out grants

“Youth Shout Out” – Four youth-inspired ideas emerging from this summer’s “Youth Shout Out,” an effort sponsored by Allstate, will receive $459,000. The initiative empowered young people to create solutions to improve their neighborhoods. GIC is working through community partners to implement their ideas, which include a program engaging youth and parents as community mediators; street safety networks to help teens move about their communities; micro jobs for young people so they can earn an income; and urban farms that will provide healthy food options and educate youth about plant farming and conservation.

Technical Assistance Partners – Get IN Chicago is also delivering $779,000 in funding for individualized consulting to current and potential GIC grantees. Experts in the fields of cognitive behavioral therapy, mentoring, parent leadership and the arts will help grantee organizations improve the delivery and quality of their programs and services. Expert organizations will also facilitate professional learning sessions to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. The goal is to strengthen nonprofits serving at-risk youth and position them to scale up.

Other grant announcements this year:

Earlier this month, Get IN Chicago awarded $230,000 in grants to the University Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and Cure Violence, UCAN and Ceasefire, and Youth Guidance, to implement trauma response programs in Austin, Englewood, North Lawndale, Roseland and South Shore. As part of GIC’s Violence Response Initiative, each organization is providing clinical and community support to survivors, family members and residents within 72 hours of shooting incidents.

“We have charted an ambitious course to fund effective violence prevention strategies that can be maintained for years to produce the greatest impact,” said Dr. Irving. “We look forward to expanding our collaborations with community partners, and toward that end, our goal will be to grant at least $1 million more in funding in 2015 and $12 million in grants in 2016.”

About Get IN Chicago

Get IN Chicago is an innovative five-year, $50 million partnership that focuses on identifying, funding and rigorously evaluating evidence-based programs that lead to sustainable reductions in violence for individuals and communities. Since 2013, GIC has awarded grants totaling more than $13.6 million for evidence-based community programs at 54 non-profit organizations that support more than 10,000 at-risk youth and their families in seven Chicago communities. More information is available at www.getinchicago.org