Metropolitan Peace Initiatives supports communities in helping people heal from trauma.
EXPANSION
Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) has grown 51% in the last year in support of our 15 Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) partner organizations, helping each build capacity and increase comprehensive service delivery in the 28 communities we serve. The Metropolitan Peace Academy, Behavioral Health Services, Workforce Development, CP4P Justice Corps, Program Operations, Program Evaluation, Accounting, Policy & Advocacy, Communications, and Program Services teams have all experienced exponential growth.
MPI welcomed two new organizations into CP4P — Public Equity and Think Outside Da Block. These groups, both serving the Englewood area, joined 13 other community-based and citywide organizations dedicated to helping heal Chicago’s communities experiencing the highest levels of gun violence.
MPI opened its doors to the Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) in Pilsen. The location serves as a community violence intervention (CVI) training and wellness center for Outreach Workers, Case Managers, Victim Advocates, and Trauma Recovery Specialists. The site also holds community trainings for Chicago residents and police officers. Additionally, the MPA features a gym, cafe and lounge area, peace room, podcast studio, two original murals, and more.
In FY24, the MPA graduated 81 Street Outreach Workers, 42 Victim Advocates, 33 Case Managers, and 20 Crisis Prevention & Response Unit (CPRU) Crisis Responders. To date, more than 500 graduates have passed through the MPA since its inception in January 2018.
MPI/CP4P and other Chicago-area CVI groups unveiled “Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago” (SC2), a plan to scale coordinated efforts between CVI groups, philanthropic, business, and government leaders in order to reduce gun violence across the city. SC2 is expected to roll out over the next decade and has already received hundreds of thousands of dollars in private and public funding.
MPI acquired the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI), a CVI effort formerly headed by Heartland Alliance. The program prioritizes those most at risk of gun violence, providing them with cognitive behavioral interventions, paid transitional jobs, and wrap-around support services.
MPI organized a youth intermediary in collaboration with Chicago Public Schools and the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety to support youth of highest promise, aged 14 to 21. These individuals meet the criteria of being disengaged from Chicago Public Schools for 3+ months or a history of chronic absenteeism; Juvenile Justice system involved; and/or have experienced the effects of violence in their communities.
The F.L.I.P. (Flatlining Violence Inspires Peace) program was expanded, which is designed to utilize a street outreach approach combined with enhanced professional and mental health training. This initiative addresses a citywide need for crisis response to teen trends, mass shootings, large gatherings, and civil unrest.
RECOGNITION
CP4P was proven to have an impact in reducing gun violence in Chicago, according to a report from the Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research and Science (CORNERS). Key findings from the evaluation showed CP4P: 1) reaches the right people; 2) lowers rates of gunshot victimization among participants; 3) improves access to employment, education, and other services; and 4) leads to safer neighborhoods.
Governor J.B. Pritzker and Illinois lawmakers approved the state budget, which includes nearly $175M toward CVI efforts through the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RSPA). Governor Pritzker has since declared that “CVI is where it’s at” and has called for ongoing funding.
The CPRU oversaw 21 deployments across Chicago from January 2024 to June 2024, helping to reduce arrests, reduce victimizations, and link high-risk individuals to appropriate resources. The CPRU team was officially launched in FY24.
Three CVI professionals representing CP4P graduated from the inaugural cohort of The University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA). The educational program, praised by Vice President Kamala Harris, is aimed at improving the effectiveness of CVI organizations and supporting their mission to reduce gun violence.
MPI and the work of CVI saw increased media recognition from outlets such as the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, The Trace, CBS 2, NBC 5, ABC 7, and more. MPI staff also spoke at events such as the Giffords Community Violence Intervention Conference and the Department of Justice’s Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative Grantee Conference. Additionally, MPI Executive Director Vaughn Bryant testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the gun violence epidemic.
CP4P was the recipient of the 2024 Distinctive Innovation and Social Service Award from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice. The accolade is given annually to deserving social service agencies and programs that demonstrate innovation in their approaches and practices while reflecting the mission of the school.
63
MPI Behavioral Health
participants served
133
MPI Workforce Development
participants enrolled
36
CP4P Justice Corps
clients received expungements
176
MPI
graduates
81 Street Outreach Workers
33 Case Managers
42 Victim Advocates
20 CPRU Crisis Responders
7,385
Conflicts
mediated
513
Light in the Night
events held
72,078
total number of attendees
at Light in the Night events
167,443
CONTACTS MADE
with key individuals
100,950
STREET OUTREACH
HOURS CANVASSED
