Six Chicago organizations will receive institutional support grants to spur innovation or growth, and invest in their long-term sustainability. Among other uses, these funds can support organizational infrastructure and technology, implementing a strategic plan, and/or building cash reserves to promote financial stability. MacArthur is awarding nearly $2.5 million to organizations that focus on community safety and gun violence prevention on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
Centers for New Horizons, headquartered in Bronzeville and serving Chicago’s South Side, offers violence prevention programming to justice system-involved youth. It collaborates with the second and seventh districts of the Chicago Police Department, area hospitals, mental health organizations, and street outreach programs to create a network of support for residents. Centers for New Horizons received $450,000 over three years.
Claretian Associates is a community hub organization in South Chicago. In response to increased gun violence in recent years, Claretian established a robust street outreach team and collaborates with the MacArthur-supported Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, an initiative aimed at reducing Chicago's gun violence. Claretian Associates received $450,000 over three years.
Firebird Community Arts is a visual arts organization that primarily serves populations affected by collective and individualized trauma, including individuals injured by gun violence, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, undocumented populations, and Chicago Public School students on the South and West Sides. Firebird Community Arts received $225,000 over three years.
The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago combats the cycle of violence through outreach, mediation, support, and nonviolence training. It engages in violence prevention and intervention activities on Chicago’s West Side in collaboration with the MacArthur-supported Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities. The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago received $450,000 over three years.
New Life Centers of Chicagoland offers a variety of positive opportunities and support for youth and their families on Chicago’s Southwest Side, including sports, life-skills mentoring, tutoring, community events, crisis response, and mediation. Its violence prevention and street outreach programs are affiliated with the MacArthur-supported Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities. New Life Centers received $450,000 over three years.
UCAN, headquartered in North Lawndale, is a recognized leader in trauma-informed treatment, violence intervention and prevention, and youth development in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois. UCAN engages in violence prevention and community safety activities in collaboration with the MacArthur-supported Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities. UCAN received $450,000 over three years.
