Chicago – Youth Advocate Programs, (YAP™), Inc. Washington Heights Violence Interruption team cleaned up, planted and pruned flowers, replaced mulch, and tilled soil at Chicago’s Euclid Park in honor of Earth Day in April.
Funded through a grant from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), the YAP Chicago Washington Heights Violence Interruption program provides violence interruption services, street and hospital outreach, crisis intervention, peace building activities, family engagement, individual wraparound services, and conflict resolution. Like the individuals they serve, many of the team members are formerly justice involved.
“As someone who lives and works in this community, I know that keeping it clean is an important part of keeping it safe,” said YAP Washington Heights Violence Interruption Program Director, Ken Lewis. “The Earth Day event was the perfect opportunity for our program participants and staff to roll up their sleeves by connecting with like-minded individuals and doing something positive.”
YAP, a national nonprofit in 36 states and Washington, D.C., partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, and other systems to provide community-based wraparound services as an alternative to youth incarceration and residential care; and is also used to help cities curb neighborhood violence.
The Chicago event was hosted with support from Chicago 21st Ward Alderman Ronnie Mosley and Chicago Fifth Third Bank.
Referred to as street outreach Advocates, members of the YAP Washington Heights Violence Interruption team help diffuse situations. The team also connects residents to economic, educational, and emotional tools to help put their lives on a positive course, which contributes to neighborhood violence reduction.
In the past, the Washington Heights Violence Interruption team cleaned up a vacant lot and planted flowers, collard greens, cabbage, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and red and green bell peppers, along with jalapeno and habanero peppers. Lewis said the team plans to refurbish another Chicago space this summer.
For more information about YAP, visit: www.YAPInc.org or follow YAP Chicago on Facebook.