Playing for Peace: Stopping the Violence and Bridging the Gang Divide on the Streets of Chicago
This project's parent organization is New Life Centers of Chicagoland
It uses Baseball
Shortlisted for the Sport for Peace and Social Justice Award
More about Playing for Peace: Stopping the Violence and Bridging the Gang Divide on the Streets of Chicago
A total of 764 people were murdered in Chicago in 2016. They were sons, brothers, and fathers; sisters, daughters, and mothers. Between 2015 and 2016, Chicago experienced 58 percent more homicides and 43 percent more non-fatal shootings. Annual increases of this size are rare for a city of Chicago’s size.
In Chicago, youth and young adults are facing very high rates of violence, trauma, and gang activity. In Little Village, a 4 square-mile community on Chicago’s Southwest side, there were more than 100 shootings and 16 homicides in 2016 alone. There has been a 50-year war going on between two major gangs, the Latin Kings and the Two Six.
Many wondered what could be done to take on such violence and trauma? In 2008, Little Village Summer Softball was born. What started as a league with 6 teams on one side of the neighborhood has grown over 9 years to 22 teams and over 300 participants comprised of both major gangs. The season ends with the Crosstown Classic finale where opposite gang members come together for a day of peace…guys normally trying to kill each other, now wielding the power of sport to bring peace.