Category: Chicago Peace Fellows

On June 18, 2019, the Chicago Peace Fellows met with Derrick Faulkner, the Area Manager, and Art Richardson, the Regional Director, from the Chicago Park District. Together they held an open discussion of how the places and programs of the Park District can be used to further peace building and violence prevention over the summer.… Continue reading Chicago Park District Explores Partnerships with Peace Fellows

On Friday, June 14, Chicago Peace Fellow Maria Velazquez invited her peers to the Telpochcalli Elementary School, an institution in the Little Village neighborhood that the community organization she leads, called the Telpochcalli Community Education Project, helped to create. Maria hosted a street festival for members of the community to enjoy time together to start… Continue reading Peace Fellows Visit Telpochcalli in Little Village

How has Gather informed the work that you do? Have you made any meaningful connections between Gather and your work? These past few weeks, I’ve been reading “Winners Take All,” by Anand Giridharadas. This book, a sort of “emperor’s new clothes” take on how social innovation projects are packaged in the modern context of wealth,… Continue reading Peace Fellow Spotlight: Robin Cline

What are some important updates in your current work? The Black Star Project is a multifaceted initiative known for its actions with programs on education, culture, economic and workforce development, mentoring, tutoring and youth development, public policy and advocacy and violence prevention. Our programs encourage a holistic, intergenerational approach to community building. Phillip Jackson, our… Continue reading Peace Fellow Spotlight: Gloria Smith

The Chicago Peace Fellows recently met with a unique group of activists who are teaching non-violence techniques to gang members in the city’s toughest neighborhoods. “My job is to stop the violence,” said Kenya Hardy, street outreach worker with the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago. “I do whatever I have to do, like a cousin, like… Continue reading Where Non Violence is Personal

On Saturday, May 18, the Ladies of Virtue (LOV), founded and led by Chicago Peace Fellow Jamila Trimuel, hosted their 2019 Recognition Ceremony to honor high school and eighth grade graduates as they move on to the next chapter in the program.   [quote]”Our 8th Annual Recognition Ceremony is a time where our Ladies of… Continue reading Ladies of Virtue Recognize Youth Leadership

How has Gather informed the work that you do? Have you made any meaningful connections between Gather and your work? I am grateful to the Chicago Peace Fellows for not only increasing my personal capacity as a leader but also increasing the Chicago Alternatives to Incarceration’s Collaborative organizational capacity as well. The skills I have… Continue reading Peace Fellow Spotlight: Pastor Robert Biekman

On Thursday, May 9, 2019, Peace Fellows Velvian Boswell, Robin Cline and I as well as Goldin Institute staff Travis Rejman and Burrell Poe attended the City Club of Chicago’s luncheon with Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson. Superintendent Johnson stated crime in the City of Chicago is down since 2016 and attributed the decrease… Continue reading Reflecting on Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson

On Wednesday, May 1, the Chicago Peace Fellows met at Breakthrough Ministries in East Garfield Park for our fifth workshop focused on the concept of Appreciative Inquiry. We started the workshop with a tour of the building where Breakthrough Ministries delivers services for residents of Garfield Park on the city’s West Side. Breakthrough Ministries has… Continue reading Chicago Peace Fellows Practice Appreciative Inquiry at Breakthrough Ministries

Advisors to the Goldin Institute’s Chicago Peace Fellows initiative came together over dinner April 30 to hear updates about the Fellows and discuss the implications of their work in a context of the city’s ongoing crisis of violence. Over plates of pasta at a restaurant across the street from City Hall, Goldin Institute Executive Director… Continue reading Advisors Meet to Discuss the Chicago Peace Fellows Progress