Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

03/09/2026

Did you miss The Justice Collaboratory's webinar, "Community Violence Intervention: Building Data & Relationship" featuring Teny Gross and Andy Papachristos last week? Good news, you can watch the recording!
https://www.justicehappenshere.yale.edu/webinars/recording-community-violence-intervention-building-data-amp-relationship

Teny and Andy were also joined by Institute for Nonviolence Chicago's Dir. of Strategic Partnerships, Sam Castro. They spoke about the importance of using research to help with street outreach and support the validity of the field, but also how CORNERS worked to gain the trust of outreach teams in order to create an impactful partnership.

Because CVI work isn't just about the numbers-it's about people- measuring success is critical.
As Teny mentioned, "When we fail, people die." Research is part of the CVI ecosystem. Partnering with CORNERS and using "network science" is saving lives.

This is a great conversation between experts in CVI. We highly recommend you watch/listen.

03/06/2026

LOVE THIS!☮️❤️
https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/05/west-sides-peace-runners-open-garfield-park-studio-wellness-center/

Peace Runners 773 started in 2020 and has expanded with more than 1,000 runners traveling throughout the West Side and participating in wellness programs.

03/04/2026

❤️Welcome to the world of , Lifeline to Hope! ☮️ We are so happy to create a new partnership in West Garfield Park as part of (Scaling CVI for a Safer Chicago). Together we will support each other as we do this, sometimes dangerous yet, critical work to save lives and make the city safer.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is always working to build up the entire CVI field in Chicago and beyond. We know its an effective public safety strategy and we want to share our knowledge and resources. And most of all, we want to share our love with all the dedicated CVI organizations and frontline staff who tirelessly work to heal communities and save lives.

03/03/2026

Did you miss the 2026 Winter Convening? Watch the full program at https://www.facebook.com/reel/949780750906916 Chicago CRED Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P

Mayor Brandon Johnson praised CVIs for their role in creating a safer city and expressed why he believes that investing in our people works. “CVI is not just this theory—It’s proven to work. It saves lives. It interrupts cycles of harm. It creates pathways to healing, and healing is critical.”

03/03/2026

🎉CONGRATULATIONS to Kerry Owens who is now officially certified as a Peer Support Specialist in the state of Illinois!!!🌟
Continuing education helps us continue to professionalize the field. We are so proud of all our staff who pursue additional certifications and higher degrees.🧠💪🏾

02/27/2026

ICYMI: “When you invest in community, the community delivers.”
On Tuesday, February 24, Community Violence intervention (CVI) organizations from around the city gathered for its 2026 Winter Convening to recognize 2025’s historic declines in gun violence and recommit to our mission for peace. Last year was the safest on record since 1965 and was the 4th straight year of gun violence declines.

For a full recap, check out
https://mailchi.mp/nonviolencechicago/sc2s-impact-on-historic-shooting-decreases-14203965

02/25/2026

ICYMI: Yesterday, Community Violence intervention organizations from around the city gathered for its 2026 Winter Convening to recognize 2025’s historic declines in gun violence and recommit to our mission for peace. Last year was the safest on record since 1965 and was the 4th straight year of gun violence declines.

“This is a recommitment to what works—the progress we have made has to sustain.” Mayor Brandon Johnson

https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-community-leaders-including-mayor-johnson-celebrate-successes-violence-prevention-south-shore-cultural-center/18646603/

Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Metropolitan Peace Academy Chicago CRED

The effort to stem gun violence in Chicago was on full display in the South Shore neighborhood Tuesday.

02/24/2026

Join us tomorrow at PBMR Center for our Black History Month Celebrarion!

02/20/2026

🤯 DID YOU KNOW CVI is more than just street outreach? It also includes trauma treatment, education, employment, and community health.
Come to the CVI Convening on Feb. 24 to learn more and celebrate the historic decline in the number of shootings Chicago had in 2025.

Chicago CRED Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P Metropolitan Peace Initiatives

02/18/2026

The Justice Collaboratory is spotlighting the transformative power of partnerships through conversations with The Notebook’s contributors. On Feb 26, Teny Gross, Sam Castro, and Andrew Papachristos will share lived experiences, research insights, and on-the-ground strategies that illuminate how solidarities take root in preventing gun violence.

Join us as we explore the people, the work, and the practices that lift our energy and bring us together. RSVP: https://bit.ly/4tgnv9P

February 26th, 1:00PM EST
Community Violence Intervention: Building Data & Relationship
Panelists:
1. Sam Castro, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnership, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
2. Teny Oded Gross, founder and CEO of Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
3. Andrew V. Papachristos, Professor of Sociology and the Faculty Director of CORNERS: the Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science at Northwestern University

Explore partnerships between researchers and street outreach workers as they collaborate to address gun violence, highlighting lessons learned, opportunities for solidarity and reasons for hope.

Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P
Yale Law School
Metropolitan Peace Initiatives

02/13/2026

SAVE THE DATE 📅 APRIL 24-25 & REGISTER NOW
The We Are Our Own Medicine Gun Violence Prevention Conference offers a collaborative, in-person experience that leverages unique, cross-sector expertise to strengthen our community through education, training, and partnerships that provides a platform to exchange knowledge and refine our safety initiatives.

More than 500 people are expected for this year’s conference, with breakout sessions giving voice to our youth, families impacted by gun violence and funders sharing best practices for grant writing and violence prevention programming.

We Are Our Own Medicine is a community-centered conference that promotes: a) awareness, b) healing, c) prevention, d) leadershipThe We Are Our Own Medicine Gun Violence Prevention Conference offers a collaborative, in-person experience that leverages uniqu

02/11/2026

Did you catch Say More with Mary Dixon & Patrick Smith on WBEZ last Thursday? They discussed “What’s driving the historic drop in Chicago crime and violence" with special guest, Teny Gross, CEO at Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

Teny shares that "Chicago is more ambitious than any other city in the U.S. People from around the country are coming to Chicago to learn what we're doing."

Find out why by listening to the interview at https://www.wbez.org/say-more-with-mary-dixon-patrick-smith

Plus, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Assoc. Dir of Support Services, Les Jenkins, along with one participant and one Chicago CRED participant called in to share their stories and what made them transform their lives.
https://www.wbez.org/say-more-with-mary-dixon-patrick-smith

Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P

Hear what Chicago’s talking about — and chime in on topics that matter to you — from tariffs to construction, the Bears to “The Bear.” Weekday mornings at 10am