Safety

Neighborhoods can’t thrive without safe environments for children, families and businesses. LISC develops programs that flood the streets with positive activities while giving residents tools to reduce violence and crime. More than 3,000 youth participate each year in LISC Chicago programming that involves sports, arts, technology and academics.

For more information about LISC's safety initiatives, contact Jake Ament.

Police-Community Programs Win MetLife Foundation Awards: Carl Vogel, Dec 18, 2014; Police, Enlace Chicago and the North Lawndale Employment Network are honored for making their neighborhoods safer places to live.
Practice Makes Perfect: New Approaches to 'Hoops': Christy Perera, Aug 4, 2014; Every week from June through August, 14 neighborhoods close off streets and turn out crowds for Hoops in the Hood, a basketball program first developed as an anti-violence strategy.
Response to Violence: Build "Culture of Peace": Keri Blackwell and Kathryn Bocanegra, Jun 3, 2014; LISC Chicago and its community partners approach violence as part of a comprehensive approach to community development, working on multiple fronts to help neighborhoods become safer.
Youth Build Paths Away from Violence: Kimberly Harris, Nov 22, 2013; Reducing the violence that cuts across so many Chicago neighborhoods will require multiple strategies, but at least one element was strengthened this year in Auburn Gresham and other neighborhoods…
Bickerdike, Police Win National Safety Award: Nov 8, 2013; MetLife Foundation honors alliance to reduce crime and revitalize Humboldt Park.
Humboldt Park Youth Find Voice, Leadership Roles: Carl Vogel, Oct 24, 2013; Humboldt Park’s Summer Arts and Leadership program changed the youth who participated. Now they’re aiming to change their community.
Two Neighborhoods Plan “All-In” Safety Initiatives: Patrick Barry, Mar 26, 2013; LISC Chicago's Neighborhood Safety Initiative will take a 360-degree approach to fighting violent crime in South Chicago and North Lawndale.
Fired Up, Ready to Go: LISC Chicago’s Neighborhood Network: John McCarron, Mar 20, 2013; In the complex business of urban community development, no vehicle matches the leverage and impact of every dollar invested quite like LISC Chicago.
A Safe Place to Play: Gordon Walek, Jan 28, 2013; Health and fitness are significant issues in neighborhoods throughout the city, rich and poor alike. In Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park, Woodlawn, Chicago Lawn and South Chicago, neighborhood…
Strategizing to Fight Crime: Elizabeth Duffrin, Nov 15, 2012; Community developers and community organizers often can do more than they realize, say speakers at LISC Chicago Commercial Corridor Brown Bag Luncheon.
Moving Closer to Unity in Near North: John McCarron, Nov 6, 2012; It's still sometimes edgy, but disparate voices in the former Cabrini Green neighborhood are gradually finding common ground
Garfield Council Aims for Safer Kedzie: John McCarron, Oct 31, 2012; Testing the model: transit-oriented development only works where shoppers feel secure
For An Instant, City Streets Become Neighborhood Playgrounds: Gordon Walek, Oct 4, 2012; PlayStreets periodically closes off streets in Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park, Woodlawn, Chicago Lawn and South Chicago to provide safe, supervised space with organized sports, fitness and…
"Hoops" Tips Off vs. Youth Violence: John McCarron, Jul 31, 2012; As Chicago scrambles for ways to curb youth violence, LISC’s “Hoops in the ’Hood” continues to show one way to take back the urban street.
Hoops in the Hood: Profile of Volunteer Coach Darren Tillis: Sep 1, 2011; A State Farm insurance agent, Tillis has a deep commitment to his childhood community of North Lawndale that manifests itself through volunteer efforts like his basketball coaching.
From Learn-and-Earn to Slam-and-Jam: John McCarron, Aug 31, 2011; Summer program keeps Near North youths busy, happy, willing and able to cross old boundaries
Marquette Safety Zone Provides 'Invisible' Shield: Maureen Kelleher, Jun 30, 2011; Thanks to Elev8 and the Southwest Organizing Project’s Safety Zone initiative, which has brought violence prevention workers to the area, gang activity near Marquette has declined substantially.