The City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for Community Safety, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health and Havas Chicago, has launched A Safe Chicago for All, an expansive action hub designed to empower Chicagoans with the tools and resources needed to enhance community safety.
This initiative aligns with Mayor Johnson’s People’s Plan for Community Safety, which mobilizes government resources to collaborate with community organizations, businesses, philanthropy, and more to build a stronger, safer Chicago.
“Our work is based on the belief that a holistic approach to community safety, rooted in collaboration across all sectors, is essential to eradicating centuries of racism and purposeful disinvestment and violence. Together, we can forge a path toward a safer, more equitable Chicago,” said Garien Gatewood, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety.
Timed to coincide with Gun Violence Awareness Month in June, the initiative introduces resources and opportunities to inspire every Chicago resident to actively participate in community safety efforts. A Safe Chicago for All focuses on raising awareness about the root causes of violence and how equity is being integrated into the city’s community safety strategies. It highlights innovative, evidence-based solutions and current efforts and investments aimed at increasing safety.
“The launch of this initiative complements existing efforts to build a safer, healthier city for everyone,” said Olusimbo ‘Simbo’ Ige, MD, MPH, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “There is an 11.4-year life expectancy gap between Black and white Chicagoans, with gun-related homicide being the second largest contributor to this disparity. This is a call to action for all Chicagoans, regardless of their zip code, to play a role in community safety.”
The A Safe Chicago for All digital action hub provides residents with community safety resources, including information about victim services and street outreach programs funded by CDPH to support individuals at the highest risk of becoming victims or perpetrators. It offers resources for community leaders and residents who want to learn more about promising community safety solutions and ways to advance health and racial equity. The hub features:
- Community resource guides for various neighborhoods
- An Introductory Guide to City Services for those who want to access city resources and take an active role in their community
- Suicide prevention trainings, mental health skills-building, harm reduction training, and more.
Developed in partnership with community-based organizations working in violence prevention, the hub aims to provide a unified platform to support community members and help them carry out initiatives successfully at the local level. It seeks to rally young people, community organizations, and residents to work together, achieve cultural and behavioral change, support those exposed to chronic stress and violence, and address systemic issues such as disinvestment, generational trauma, and lack of opportunity.
“A Safe Chicago for All is a city-wide initiative calling on partners and community-based organizations to work together for a safer, more peaceful Chicago,” said Claudia Rangel, Violence Prevention Networks Manager, Enlace. “We are inspired by individuals who are loving, passionate, empathetic, and dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in La Villita by prioritizing safety as one of our core pillars. La Villita is an essential part of the vibrancy of the City of Chicago. When safety is ensured for all, we can truly appreciate what our city represents. Our efforts are driven by the voices of our partners, community members, and staff, who are committed to building a peaceful Chicago starting with La Villita.”
”I’ve been championing the concept of behavior change and the significance of cultural wellness since the CSCC first got started,” said Tewodros Josef (TJ) Crawford, Founder, Institute for Culture Wellness, and Managing Executive Director, South Shore Works Planning and Preservation Coalition. “We spent countless hours laying the foundation and clarifying the concepts that A Safe Chicago for All is built on. I’m happy to see this initiative finally come to fruition and excited about its impact and how we engage policymakers, business leaders, and the city at large to take a more active role in community safety.”
“This initiative is exactly what the community truly needs,” said Gregory D. Matthews, Community Engagement Manager at the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative and the Community Safety Coordination Center. “We don’t need anyone coming from outside our community to help us. All that is truly needed is support for neighborhoods that have never seen it. With A Safe Chicago for All, we want to change the narrative around violence on the West Side and bring attention to the transformative work that is taking place.”
Throughout the summer, the City of Chicago plans to actively connect youth and adults to resources and opportunities within their neighborhoods and engage key stakeholders and institutions, including businesses, philanthropic organizations, and policymakers, to increase collaboration across sectors.
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