More than 80% of Chicago’s homicides in 2023 were on the South and West sides, according to city data.

A deeper look shows West Garfield Park with 48 homicides and nearby community areas not far behind.

Local organizations are focusing on those areas in an effort to work directly with those most impacted in an effort to stop cycles of violence

For BUILD, the work starts with engaging the youth in the community. 

“The more you have time to interact, and engage and listen to a young person, you help them to navigate some of the tough parts of life of just growing up being a teenager,” Adam Alonso, the CEO of the organization said. “If we think back to our teens, it’s not an easy time and young people growing up today really need someone by their side as a mentor.”

He added that BUILD works to engage members of teens’ families in order to surround kids with positive influences. They also use tools such as art to connect with young people, some who’ve already experienced trauma, which allows them to build confidence and trust in order to open up and begin to heal.

For those returning to the community after committing violence, Mica Battle, the executive director of Bridge to Freedom, said the barriers to building back their lives can be high.

“They’re experiencing homelessness,” she said. “Many don’t have families and clean environments to go back to. So we provide housing for men and women who come home from prison. And with that housing component comes anger management and lifestyle redirection, trauma therapy, drug rehabilitation, or workforce development, resume writing.”

Making connections and forging partnerships has helped community organizations to continue their work.

“We need mentors and churches to be able to welcome them and not judge them when they come home,” Battle said. “To be able to work with them and make them you know, instead of menaces to society, to become citizens in society because they are returning citizens.”