WHAT ABOUT US CHARITABLE ENTERPRISES INC

THE FAITH-BASED CRISIS RESPONSE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM EQUIPS FAITH LEADERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH RESOURCES, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO CRISES AFFECTING THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, TRAUMA AWARENESS, AND COMMUNITY STABILIZATION WHILE PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS TO PROMOTE PEACE AND HEALING. THE PROGRAM ALSO GED PREPARATION FOR PARTICIPANTS. THE IMPACT OF THIS INITIATIVE INCLUDES STRONGER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, INCREASED AWARENESS OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES, AND ENHANCED COLLABORATION BETWEEN FAITH INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS DURING TIMES OF CRISIS. WE HAVE ENGAGED RESIDENTS IN 8 REACTIVE COMMUNITY MOBILIZATIONS IN RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE AND 4 PROACTIVE COMMUNITY MOBILIZATIONS THIS PAST YEAR. PROACTIVE MOBILIZATIONS ARE DEFINED AS EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN HOT SPOT AREAS WHERE VIOLENCE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO EXIST. REACTIVE MOBILIZATIONS ARE DEFINED AS EVENTS WHERE THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY IS IMPACTED BY A MASS, SHOOTINGS, TENDER AGED SHOOTINGS (15YRS OLD OR YOUNGER) OR SENIOR IMPACTED BY A SHOOTING. DURING OUR MOBILIZATIONS COMMUNITY MEMBER, RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS AND CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATE. OVER 1300 RESIDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN OUR MOBILIZATIONS AND THOUSANDS OF DOORS HAVE BEEN KNOCKED ON AND RESIDENTS ENGAGED. FOODS, MUSIC, RESOURCES AND ESSENTIALS ITEMS ARE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE MOBILIZATIONS, RESIDENTS ARE RECEPTIVE TO THE RESPONSE NOTED THAT THEY ARE HAPPY TO SEE THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER DURING A TRAGIC EVENT. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS ASSISTED 18 PARTICIPANTS WHO FORMALLY HELD TIES TO STREET ORGANIZATIONS WITH GED PREP, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITY WORKSHOPS. WE HAVE 1 STUDENT WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THEIR GED. WE CONTINUE OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH VIOLENCE PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS AND CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE OF OUR YOUTH.

THE MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TO FIREARM VIOLENCE PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND COMMUNITY HEALING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY FIREARM VIOLENCE. THROUGH COUNSELING REFERRALS, PEACE CIRCLES, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION, THE PROGRAM WORKS TO REDUCE TRAUMA, PREVENT RETALIATION, AND PROMOTE EMOTIONAL WELLNESS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THE IMPACT OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES INCREASED ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, IMPROVED COMMUNITY STABILITY, AND STRONGER SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE AND AT-RISK RESIDENTS. OUR MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TO FIREARM VIOLENCE HAVE INITIATED THE OPENING OF 4 FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTERS IN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY IN RESPONSE TO 4 MASS SHOOTING IN THE PAST YEAR. FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTERS PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE WHERE FAMILIES CAN ACCESS RESOURCES DURING A TRAUMATIC INSTANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. A MASS SHOOTING IS DEFINED AS 4 OR INDIVIDUALS ARE SHOT NOT INCLUDING THE ASSAILANT. DURING THOSE TIMES MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES WERE PROVIDED, SNACKS AND PRAYERS OFFERED TO ATTENDEES. WE WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE FAMILIES IN HEALING CIRCLES WHERE TOPICS INCLUDED BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LIVING WITH TRAUMA, COPING WITH PAIN AND WHERE DO WE START TO HEAL 16 FAMILIES WERE IMPACTED AND MANY OF THOSE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS RECEIVED SERVICES FROM OUR PARTNERS AND PROVIDERS DURING THE CENTER HOURS. WE ALSO HOSTED TALKING CIRCLES IN THE PARK WHERE 120 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED AND LEARNED COPING SKILLS DURING TRAUMA. OUR MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TO FIREARM VIOLENCE TEAM SERVED AS A PANELIST DURING A STATEWIDE CONVENING WHERE OVER 120 PARTNERS ATTENDED TO LEARN HOW THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH IS SHAPING THE NARRATIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.