Nonprofit UCAN says $21 million infusion will make a difference against violent crime in Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) -- We've tracked a steady rise in violent crime across the city here at CBS 2, and a longstanding nonprofit says it has plans to make a dent in it.
UCAN, based in the North Lawndale community on the city's West Side, told CBS 2's Tara Molina about a new cash infusion of $21 million - which they say will make the difference across Chicago.
Fighting the spike in crime takes time and resources, and UCAN says it's upping those resources in Chicago thanks to a major pool of donations.
UCAN's new chief executive officer, Christa A. Hamilton, sat down with CBS 2's Molina Friday to talk about exactly how the money will make a difference - specifically with violence prevention.
UCAN is based in the North Lawndale community on the city's West Side - a community with the third most reported violent crime this year at 125 total.
Homicides are down this year, but assaults, batteries, and sexual assaults are up - mirroring a similar spike in violent crimes citywide.
UCAN has committed to making a difference - working with kids and families who have suffered trauma.
"We can really lead people to success," said Hamilton, who was born and raised on the city's South Side. "You know, there's lots to do - and we're working together to be very intentional about how do we reduce violence in this community?"
Hamilton is proud to announce the organization's major cash infusion, which is making more of their work possible. The organization is directing the $21 million to a few of its programs, with a focus on boots on the ground.
The boots are dispatched by Frank Perez, who leads violence intervention and prevention services.
"They're coming to the community and servicing these individuals where they're at," Perez said.
He told us they surround a scene, at any hour, to help the people directly impacted by violence, and they stay there long after the crime scene tape comes down.
Last year, a total of 473 young people received mentoring through UCAN's violence intervention.
"There is an opportunity to change that mindset," Perez said. "It doesn't have to be this way. You can make a difference."
To Perez, the money means manpower.
"We've never had enough staff," he said.
Perez says that manpower will make a difference heading into warmer months, when we typically see violence spike across the city.
"I'm hoping with an influx of money, we can be reducing those numbers - having those numbers go in the right direction," Perez said.
"We are preparing for a safer summer than we've seen the past two years," said Hamilton.
UCAN is one of the 15 members of Communities Partnering 4 Peace, a group of other organizations doing work like this right now across the city.
UCAN issued the following information about its record:
- During COVID, the organization provided 2,400 boxes of food and emergency funding for individuals and families.
- The agency engaged nearly 9,000 people from across Chicago and the world during COVID
- In 2021, 473 young people received mentoring through UCAN's Violence Intervention
- Since 2018, UCAN has secured job placements for more than 1,000 youth and adults
- UCAN has provided mental health services to more than 2,500 young people and their families since 2018
- 99% of UCAN participants report a decreased exposure and involvement in violence
- UCAN has completed over 750 violence reduction mediations in the North Lawndale community since 2018
UCAN also issued this financial breakdown:
- Public Funds Raised - $6,311,002
- Private Pipeline - $1,932,500
- Total funds raised - $21,006,269
Here is a breakdown of Chicago violent crime statistics from 2018 through 2022 through Feb. 24. The North Lawndale community area, where UCAN is headquartered, had third most reported violent crimes so far this year with 125:
Here is a breakdown of violent crimes in just North Lawndale, again all years through Feb. 24.
Finally, here are type breakdowns and citywide totals for all violent crimes this year:
The City of Chicago is making violence prevention a priority too. A spokesperson told Molina their focus right now is on violence intervention and addressing community blight:
In accordance with Mayor Lightfoot's "Our City, Our Safety" plan, the City has focused its efforts and resources in the areas that experience violence the most. The City has been working diligently with health care providers, community-based organizations, faith leaders and other partners to implement a whole-of-government, community-driven response to violence prevention and reduction. We have street outreach groups working in 19 communities highly impacted by violence. In four pilot communities (Englewood, Little Village, Garfield Park, and North Lawndale), we have partnered with the following organizations to coordinate and develop additional violence prevention efforts.
- Englewood: Team Englewood
- Little Village: New Life Community Centers, ENLACE Chicago
- Garfield Park: The Garfield Park Right to Wellness
- North Lawndale: North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council (NLCCC)
UCAN is a critical partner in victims services and street outreach in North Lawndale and Roseland; the City provides them with $450,000 in funding for victim services and over $625,000 in funding for street outreach services across these two communities.
To date, the City has allocated over $52 million in direct violence interventions such as:
- Street Outreach
- Victim Services
- Targeted interventions for youth at high risk for victimization and/or justice involvement
- Diversion programs that provide more supports for youth, narcotics users, and those experiencing mental health crises
- Housing and legal supports for victims of domestic abuse.
The City is looking to supplement this work by investing not only to extend direct violence interventions but also to address community blight and broader community safety. These additional investments are reflected in the infographic below.