Chicago is launching a new front in its battle against violence, with the introduction of the Cycle Breakers youth safety initiative. Announced yesterday by Mayor Brandon Johnson, the project is a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and several community partners. Mayor Johnson vowed to address the intertwined issues of violence, poverty, and disinvestment that have long plagued some of Chicago's neighborhoods, particularly on the South and West sides.
"For far too long, senseless violence has harmed the very fabric and soul of our communities," Mayor Johnson said in a statement obtained by the city's press release. He underscored the initiative's role in fostering safer communities through the provision of resources to interrupt cycles of violence. The program underscores behavioral change tactics combined with community collaboration to construct a safer cityscape.
Cycle Breakers emerges as a multifaceted venture, targeting several objectives including elevating conflict resolution skills among youth, supporting caregivers in their critical roles, and fostering partnerships to magnify community-led change efforts. Dr. Olusimbo 'Simbo' Ige, Commissioner of the CDPH, characterized gun-related violence as a primary force widening the city's racial life expectancy gap, labeling it a public health crisis, "that will take everyone - from government to community leaders, caregivers, and youth - to tackle effectively," according to the same press release.
The genesis of Cycle Breakers can be traced back to 2022 and represents the labor of local leaders who sought a strategy that builds upon and complements existing safety efforts. Key to the initiative is what's been deemed the "adult protective shield", a suite of protective and supportive measures surrounding youth. This concept, along with culture wellness – a preservation of values leading to long-term health – are hailed as foundation stones for the behavior change campaign. "The next necessary thing is for us to consistently and cooperatively work together in order to do so,” Tewodros Josef (TJ) Crawford, Founder of the Institute for Culture Wellness and Managing Executive Director at South Shore Works Planning and Preservation Coalition stated in the aforementioned press release.
Integral to the campaign's development was the voice of over 200 youths from communities with high opportunities, who helped shape the program through focus groups and feedback sessions. Renowned local artist Haman Cross III showcased a mural at the launch, which is emblematic of the input and creativity of these young participants. "They expressed themselves creatively and, produced many art pieces that we later incorporated into a mural installation. This piece is a direct testament of our Chicago youth, the message they want to share and how they see a Chicago without violence," Cross conveyed in the official press release.
Cycle Breakers is grounded in partnerships with civic organizations and aims to be more than a campaign – it's a resource hub promoting methods for conflict resolution, restorative justice, and mental health awareness. According to chicago.gov, the strategy is a collective rallying cry for Chicagoans to espouse non-violence and to play their part in fostering community safety. As summer progresses, the initiative will unfold citywide through various events and resources, encouraging youth and adults alike to plug into community organizations and support systems.
