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BROTHERS ON THE BLOCKSISTERS ON THE STREET

VIOLENCE PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS

Report and Program Model

Homicides in the south side of Chicago involving guns and youth under the age of 24 is a serious problem that Project H.O.O.D. along with many
other organizations and initiatives have tried to resolve. The statistics are staggering, as is the grief inflicted by the relentless violence plaguing our
neighborhoods. After sleeping on the roof of an abandoned motel for 94 days to bring attention to gun violence on the south side of Chicago, the
"Rooftop Pastor" Corey Brooks started Project H.O.O.D. in 2012 with the vision of "ending violence and building communities, one neighborhood at
a time." Early in the year 2014, Project H.O.O.D. was hosting a mentoring program in partnership with the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation
that brought local residents together who had the same vision as Pastor Brooks. Through the weekly discussions held at New Beginnings Church,
this program became the starting ground for a new community organizing campaign. Taking heed of the challenges and dangers of the upcoming
summer, Pastor Corey Brooks and community members decided to embark on a new initiative to once again take collective responsibility and
collective action to keep the streets safe.


PLAN OF ACTION
Organize 5000 men and women to boldly stand on 500 corners in the Southside of Chicago to advocate for peace and an end to gun-violence. After
mapping out the hot spots (street corners with high violence crime rates) on the Southside, the Project H.O.O.D. team planned to mobilize
courageous brothers and sisters to be stationed in these districts. By posting volunteers at these notorious locations throughout the summer, the
campaign is meant to not only bring attention to the issue of violence but revitalize the community.

Main Constituents:
-The Campaign primarily aims to reach men and women ages 16-25 who need guidance, support and services
-However, the Campaign is focused on providing general assistance to ALL populations in the Southside community at large and is responsible with
creating a safe, prosperous and empowering environment





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Goal:
-Help get those in need off of the streets and those engaged in illegal activities into the workforce
-Establish a peaceful presence in various neighborhoods and curb violence in the area

REGISTRATION & OUTREACH
Volunteers were reached by social media, radio broadcasts, television and other advertisements by Project H.O.O.D./NBC
Prospective volunteers are to call the receptionist at 773-326-4200 for further instructions and their name(s) are documented in our contact
database
Volunteers are contacted to come in for a training session (weekly sessions are currently held Thursday nights at NBC)
Volunteers are provided with a Project H.O.O.D. shirt, sign release form and provide emergency contact information
Following training, volunteers are assigned a team/district to be stationed at
The master sheet of teams/districts is updated with new participants. ( At times volunteers may be rearranged to fill all districts)

HOW THE CAMPAIGN OPERATES
Volunteers are divided into teams of 5-10
Per weekend, each team is responsible for 10 blocks in a given area
Volunteers engage with the residents in the area and connect them with services from the Resource Document provided to all volunteers.
Each Friday the Brothers on the Block are stationed at blocks in shifts from 6pm-9pm & 9pm-12am
Each Saturday the Sisters on the Street are stationed at blocks in shifts from12pm-3pm.
CURRENT PARTNERSHIPS
Christ Bible Church
Salem Church
Apostolic Faith Church
Liberty High School








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TOP RESOURCES DEMANDED
For Men: Job placement, Workforce development, Ex-offender services
For Women: Family Services, Housing, Prayer

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Should have had a community town hall before opening the campaign
o Invited Alderman, Police and other local government officials to get feedback and outside support
o
FUTURE PARTNERSHIPS
Centers For New Horizons (and other Work Force Development Centers)
YWCA Chicago (single mothers program)
Local Businesses
City Colleges of Chicago (for education and job placement programs)

LONG TERM GOALS
Expand partnerships
o Get churches to be main partners of the campaign as main contributors of volunteers
o Expand relationship with Liberty High School
Attain two interns/assistants for the coordination of the campaign
o One assistant would handle the emails, sign-up requests and do research for resources in the community
o The second assistant would write a weekly newsletter that provides updates on job/community leads. The newsletter would also
document stories of volunteers and people met on the blocks.
Link resource document online (possibly make a mobile application)
Develop a more comprehensive ex-offender program by collaborating with Project Choices at Project H.O.O.D.