Community-Led Efforts Are Driving Down Gun Violence in Little Village, Chicago

COMMUNITY-LED EFFORTS ARE DRIVING DOWN GUN VIOLENCE IN LITTLE VILLAGE, CHICAGO

Hope is rising as communities come together to build peace

Gun violence has reached historic lows in several Chicago neighborhoods—bringing with it a renewed sense of hope across the city.

Earlier this July, city officials, community leaders, and philanthropic partners gathered at Farragut High School in Little Village to mark a milestone years in the making: the measurable impact of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs, driven by long-term commitment, collaboration, and community leadership.

Through the SC2 strategy—Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago—the city has significantly expanded support for individuals at the highest risk of being involved in violence. Each participant is surrounded by a comprehensive wraparound team that includes an outreach worker, care navigator, mental health therapist, education specialist, and workforce development coach.

In Little Village, seven nonprofit organizations are working side by side on the front lines of peacebuilding. Their unified efforts are delivering powerful results:

🔻 80% drop in shootings and homicides in Little Village
🔻 Nearly 40% decrease citywide

These outcomes reflect more than data—they represent lives transformed, streets made safer, and communities on a path toward healing.

For more than two decades, our outreach team has walked alongside residents, building trust and creating safer spaces—one relationship at a time.

This moment proves what’s possible when communities lead with care, courage, and consistency. The work is far from over, but peace is growing—one life at a time.

Thank you to everyone helping make this progress possible. Together, we are building a safer Chicago.