>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR A SPECIAL EDITION OF CHICAGO TONIGHT.

TIME IN DIVINITY STATEMENT IS ON ASSIGNMENT TONIGHT IS THE LATEST IN OUR SERIES WTW NEWS.

A SAFER CITY.

WE'RE DEVOTING OUR ENTIRE PROGRAM TO THE ISSUES PUBLIC IN COMMUNITY SAFETY.

WE'LL ALSO BE PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR ONLINE COVERAGE AT W T TW DOT COM SLASH SAFER CITY.

ON TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, WE EXPLORE THE INTERSECTION OF VIOLENCE AND USE.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA AND MUSIC.

THEY REALLY MAKE IT SEEM THAT GUNS ARE LIKE, OH, LIKE I GOT A GUN LIKE THAT'S SO COOL.

>> WE TALK WITH TEENS ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE GROWING UP IN CHICAGO AND HOW THEY'RE WORKING TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE AROUND GUN VIOLENCE.

PLUS, COMMUNITY LEADERS SHARE HOW THEY'RE WORKING TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE KICK OFF THOSE CONVERSATIONS NEXT.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> CHICAGO, TONIGHT'S COVERAGE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS SUPPORTED BY THE SOO LEE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INITIATIVE FOR REDUCING VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO.

>> FROM VIOLENCE, INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO COLLEGE AND CAREERS SERVICES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS CHICAGO ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY'S YOUTH TO HELP STOP VIOLENCE.

JOINING US NOW, OUR LEADERS FROM SOME OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND THEY ARE KRISTA HAMILTON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF YOU.

BRADLEY JOHNSON, CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER AT BUILD CHICAGO AND CASTRO, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AT THE INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE.

CHICAGO, THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR JOINING ME CHRISTA, ACTUALLY WANT TO START WITH YOU THIS IS NOT ANYTHING NEW WORKING WITH YOUTH.

IN FACT, YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE MORNING.

MAY CORRECT.

>> WE HAD ARE 100 55TH BIRTHDAY MONTH.

BIRTHDAY.

YES.

>> WHAT AGE DO YOU HAVE IN COMMON WITH WHAT WAS IN IN THE TIME OF THE CIVIL WAR?

HOW IS THIS?

IT CONTINUED THREAT.

>> SO OUR ORGANIZATION WAS STARTED AS A AS ORPHANAGE FOR KIDS THAT ARE DISCONNECTED FROM THEIR FAMILIES DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND 155 YEARS LATER, WE'RE STILL STILL DOING THAT WORK.

SO BIG PART OF OUR PORTFOLIO WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILY SERVICES.

WE DO FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS, RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS.

BUT FROM THAT, WE'VE HAVE THAT WE'VE SPUN OUT ALL THESE OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ARE VIOLENCE PREVENTION, OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ALL CREATED EQUAL WHAT WE CALL A CONTINUUM OF CARE.

SO IT STARTS WITH KIDS THAT ARE IN CARE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, BUT IS GONE INTO SO MUCH MORE THROUGH THE YEAR.

AND THE CONTINUAL CARE MISSING IS VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF GETTING TO THE HEART OF PREVENTION, GET TO THE HEART OF PREVENT.

YES.

SO WE DO SOME INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION WORK.

>> SAME THAT YOU THE INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE.

CHICAGO FOLLOWS REALLY SPECIFIC APPROACH WHEN IT COMES TO TRYING TO TACKLE VIOLENCE.

THIS IS KINGS.

IAN, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> SO NORMALLY PEOPLE TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OF THE BACK STEPS.

SO WE USE THE 6 STEPS PRINCIPLES AND FIGURING NOW AT GATHERING INFORMATION SHARE INFORMATION.

WE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, ISN'T IT THAT THE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO CREATE SOME TYPE OF NON AGGRESSION?

WE CELEBRATE, RIGHT, BECAUSE OFTEN WE DON'T CELEBRATE THOSE WINDS AND OF THAT DIDN'T WORK.

THEN WE GO BACK TO THAT ONE JUST THINKING ABOUT WHAT PIECES DID WE MISS AS WE PUT IN THE RATING SUCCESS SO IMPORTANT AND THE KINGS, AN APPROACH THAT COMES FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR.

YES.

OKAY.

SO NON VIOLENCE THERE.

>> BRADLEY.

YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDES RESOURCES TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS FROM AGES 6 TO 24.

BUT LET'S START WITH 6 IN THAT.

THAT'S KINDERGARTEN.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE IS AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE AND HOW DO DO IT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK A HISTORICALLY BILL.

FIRST OF ALL MEANS BROADER URBAN INVOLVEMENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING FROM WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE WE STARTED 1969.

YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE STREETS, GANG OF ALSO, THESE ARE YOUNG ADULTS AND OLDER TEENS.

BUT WHAT WE LEARNED WAS DATED.

START THERE AND THAT YOU HAD TO START REACH THEM EARLIER.

HE HAD TO CONNECT WITH THEM SOONER BEFORE THEY, YOU KNOW, WENT DOWN A PAP AND SO WE WORK IN A LOT OF SCHOOLS.

SO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WORKING WITH OUR KIDS WORKING WITH FAMILIES, MAKING SURE THAT OUR KIDS HAVE ACCESS EXPOSURE TO OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT VIOLENCE, PREVENTION REALLY VIOLENCE IS NOTHING MORE THAN A SYMPTOM, A SYMPTOM OF A LACK OF ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

A LACK OF EXPOSURE OF THE ABILITY TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.

BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE OPTIONS TO DO THAT.

SO FOR THE YOUNGER AGES, GETTING THOSE THOSE IDEAS AND HE'S AN EXPOSURE, I'M ASSUMING WITH YOUNG KIDS, ESPECIALLY A LOT IS BASED ON.

>> YOUR YOUR FRIEND CIRCLES AND WHAT YOUR PEERS ARE UP TO.

SO IS THAT PART OF IT AS WELL?

IT'S PART OF IT, BUT IT'S ALSO YOUR FAMILY IS ALSO WHO INFLUENCES YOU.

AND SO THERE'S A TRANSITIONAL AGE BETWEEN 6 9 YEAR, THOUGH, WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE START TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

AND SO THE SOONER THAT YOU CAN REACH THEM IMPLANT OR TO IMPART SOME KNOWLEDGE OR SOME IDEAS OF THOUGHT.

>> INSIDE OF THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO GET ONE WITHOUT.

AND SO IT DOES COME TO PEERS.

BUT IT'S ALSO THE INTERACTION.

ALSO EXPOSURE ALSO THAT STRUCTURE AND ALSO THAT CARE AND THAT LOVE THAT NECESSARY THAT THEY BUILD SAY HERE YOU NODDING SAYING YES TO THAT YOUNG AGE COMPONENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, ALSO SOMETHING WE'RE REALLY EXCITED YOU CAN WE ARE WATCHING THIS PROGRAM COW REACH.

21, WHICH MEANS RELENTLESSLY ENGAGE IN ADOLESCENCE TO CHOOSE HOPE.

AMANDA, SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUNG BOYS.

IT'S GOING TO STARTED EARLY AS 12 YEARS UP INTO 21 AND WE'RE LOOKING TO ENGAGE THEM FROM 12 TO 21.

AND WE'RE GOING WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE THEM.

THEY HIT THOSE MILESTONES AT 16 YEARS OLD.

18 YEAR-OLDS IN 21 YEARS AGO ON THE WE'RE HOPING THAT WE'RE GOING EITHER.

AND AT 21 WITH THE JOB I'M SCHOOL OR SOME TYPE OF, YOU KNOW, WITH VOCATIONAL PROGRAM OR TRADE SCHOOL.

REALLY EXCITED ABOUT WATCHING THIS PROGRAM.

WE'RE GOING TAKE A SMALL COHORT OF 25 AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW HOW FAR WE CAN GO WITH THEM.

AND AGAIN, THIS NOTION OF CELEBRATING SUCCESSES AND IN WINDS.

>> NOW IN ORDER TO REACH STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS.

YOU HAVE GET IN THE SCHOOL.

AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE THAT SOMETIMES HAS PRESENTED A CHALLENGE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE A LOT OF STAFF THAT.

WORKS FINE PREVENTION WE HAVE THAT LIVED EXPERIENCE SO WE CAN GET THERE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A SO DO THE WORK AND WE DON'T WANT THE CPS LOOK AT US AS CROSSING GUARD.

COULD INTENTIONAL WORK THAT HAS TO HAPPEN.

SO WHAT WE DO IS WE WORK AROUND THE SYSTEM.

THERE'S PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE BUT NEVER BEEN INCARCERATED.

SO WE SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT A PLAN TO GET INTO THE SCHOOL BECAUSE MY PARTNER'S SHARE.

THERE'S NO AGE LIMIT TO THIS.

THEY'RE STARTING AT A YOUNGER AGE WANTING TO JUMP OUT THE FORT.

SO WE'RE BEING INTENTIONAL TO GET HIM AND GIVE THEM DIFFERENT CHOICES THAN BEING THAT OPTION FOR IN HAVING THAT SORT OF EXPERIENCE, A PRESUMED MAKES IT THE FARMER REALLY DOUBLE RELATIONSHIP.

THAT IS THAT THAT YOUTH IS GOING TO LISTEN TO SOMEBODY.

YEAH, DEFINITELY THAT BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE ME.

I WAS ONCE THEM.

>> ITS RELAY DOUBLE VERSUS THE PERSON WHO READ ABOUT THAT, BUT NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

BUT >> WHEN THEY CAN RELATE TO YOU IN ONE THING ABOUT THE YOUTH IN KIDS, THEY SMELL WHEN A PERSON IS GENUINE ABOUT COMING HELP THEM.

>> YOU KNOW, IN OUR WORK WEEK ON A CREDIBLE MESSENGER.

ARE MESSAGES THAT ARE CREDIBLE.

THEY HAVE KIND OF THE STREET CREDIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> BUT THEY'VE ALSO MADE DECISIONS TO BE AN ASSET TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

NOW.

>> YOU I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

BRADLEY IS WELL.

SO THAT YOU IN AUSTIN, BUT ALSO RETURNING TO HUMBOLDT PARK.

CURIOUS, ARE THERE DIFFERENCES IN HOW YOU APPROACH PROGRAMMING OR RELATIONSHIPS AND 2 DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES?

WELL, >> I THAT THE CORE OF WHAT WE DO IS BASED ON THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

SO HUMBLE PARK IS ACTUALLY WHERE WE ORIGINATED.

WE NEVER REALLY LEFT HUMBLE PARK.

WE MOVED OUR HEADQUARTERS TO AUSTIN.

YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE PROVIDING SERVICES IN HUMBLE PARK COMMUNITY.

NOW THE DIFFERENCE IS IS DIFFERENT.

EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL WERE IN.

IS DIFFERENT.

DON'T CARE WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD YOU'RE AND AS A DIFFERENT CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT INSIDE OF THE SCHOOL.

DOES BASIN ADMINISTRATION BASED ON THOSE BLOCKS AND CIRCLING IT.

AND SO OUR APPROACH HONESTLY IS THE SAME.

THE SAME CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY CONNECTION WITH THE FAMILY'S CONNECTION WITH THE SCHOOLS THAT WE WORK FROM THERE.

NOW, WHAT I THINK WITHIN YOU ADAPT WITHIN BUT THAT APPROACH IS THE SAME THAT YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT'S A DIFFERENT CULTURE.

SO UNDERSTANDING THAT IS IMPORTANT.

BUT I WOULD SAY THAT LARGELY IS ALL ABOUT REALLY PROVIDING WAS NEEDED OR DESIRED BY THE COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T PRESCRIBE IT.

WE DO COME WITH A COOKIE CUT CUTTER KIND OF APPROACH.

IT'S MORE OR HERE'S WHAT THIS SCHOOL IS LOOKING FOR A NEED.

HERE'S WHAT THIS BLOCK NEEDS.

SOMETIMES THERE IS GETTING INVOLVED GANGS DIFFERENT.

ONE OF THE DIFFERENCES FROM THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO LATINX OR HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

SOMETIMES A COACH IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO GANGS THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND SO APPROACH HAS TO BE DIFFERENT.

BUT ALSO YOU CAN APPLY 20TH CENTURY APPROACHES TO 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITIES.

NOW THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW.

AND SO OUR APPROACH IS ALWAYS DEATH.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN GETTING A GYM?

YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING GETTING ON TIKTOK OR IS WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ARE SO WE HAVE TEAMS THAT SCORE OF THE INTERNET.

>> THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A RIVAL ISSUES AND WE'RE GOING OUT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS ENOUGH.

PEOPLE ARE MAYBE MOCK IN SOME WIND UP MAKING THE POLLS.

WE'RE GOING TO THOSE KIDS A VOICE.

AND HEY.

>> YOU KNOW, HOW DO MITIGATE THIS FROM HAPPENING?

WHERE ONE P CIRCLES AND STORY OF CONVERSATIONS WE ACTUALLY HAVE WHAT'S CALLED NO SLIDE AGREEMENTS GO TO TO RIVAL WILL AND WE HAVE THEM AGREED THAT THEY WILL GO IN EACH OTHER'S BLOCKS AND THEY SIGNED OFF ON ALLOW OKAY.

>> YOU I WANT TO GET TO SOMETHING THAT HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF ATTENTION.

IS THIS MASS SHOOTING IN THE BACK OF THE YARDS AND YOUR COMMUNITY WORKS THERE.

WHAT WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION'S RESPONSE TO THIS INCIDENT WHERE A 9 YEAR-OLD WAS LEFT?

>> FROM THE MOMENT WE RECEIVED THE E-MAIL AND SEE PICK CALL FROM A THE EVERYONE WAS HANDS-ON.

I'M NOT ONLY OUR STAFF THAT WORK BACK IN THE YARD, BUT OUR STAFF THAT WERE ON CALL WEST GARFIELD AND ALSO ALSTON.

IT WAS ON IT AND I'M ALSO GRATEFUL AND HUMBLED THAT I HAVE PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT MY MY PHONE WAS RINGING.

>> THEY LIKE WHAT?

PEOPLE ARE READY IT ALL HOURS.

THERE HAS NO VIOLENCE SPICE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT PARTY YOU CITY IS THAT AND WHEN I SEEN DID, OF COURSE PEOPLE OUT OF AUTOMATICALLY THINK IT'S GANG THING.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS JUST PEOPLE THAT CELEBRATING LIFE AND THIS HAPPENED.

BUT I THINK PEOPLE SAY LIKE WHAT, WHAT?

WHAT?

AND I'M LIKE MY RESPONSES.

WE'RE NOW WALKING THE FAMILY TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES AND THE LOVE THING ABOUT BEING IN A PARTNERSHIP.

EVERYBODY.

CAIN WRITES, I FIGURED THERE WAS 11 PEOPLE WHO'S AFFECTED OF ONE PERSON LOVES ONE.

THAT MEANS THAT GOT 22 PEOPLE.

AND I THINK ABOUT THE KIDS.

SO WHEN WE PUT THAT TOGETHER, IT WAS A BLESSING TO BE AND THE COLLABORATIVE WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK TO EACH OF YOU ARE GOING TO END IT.

THERE.

>> AND ONCE AGAIN, THAT IS KRISTEN HAMILTON, SAMUEL CASTRO AND BRADLEY JOHNSON.

WE APPRECIATE EACH OF YOU.

NOW LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO EDUCATE TEENS ON THE RISKS OF CARRYING A GUN.

HERNANDEZ SPENT TIME WITH THE GROUP'S LEADERS AND PARTICIPANTS AND JOINS US NOW LIVE FROM DOWNTOWN TO >> AMANDA, NOWADAYS, WE CAN SPEND HOURS ON HER PHONE, SCROLLING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

THAT'S OF THE ORGANIZATION.

PROJECT UNLOADED IS WORKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT HERE.

A GALLERY.

37, A GROUP OF TEENS ARE WORKING TO EDUCATE OTHERS ON THE RISKS OF CARRYING A GUN BY BECOMING SOCIAL INFLUENCERS FOR CHANGE.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S EASIER TO GET A GUN THAN IT IS TO DO.

A LOT OF THINKS LIKE IT'S EASY TO GET A GUN THAN IT IS TO REIN IN CHICAGO.

15 YEAR-OLD LEAH MCLEAN IS ONE OF THE MANY STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN A PROGRAM.

>> AND AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO, OLIVIA BROWN IS LEADING THE INITIATIVE.

WE ARE WORKING WITH TEAMS.

APP.

IS THE MATTERS TOO.

>> TRAIN THEM TO BECOME MARKETING PROFESSIONALS AND USE SOCIAL MEDIA EMPOWER THAN THEIR TEENS.

PUT THE LINK IN MY BIO.

>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BROWN IS PART OF A LARGER EFFORT CALLED PROJECT UNLOADED AND ORGANIZATION DRIVEN TO CREATE A NEW CULTURAL NARRATIVE ABOUT GUNS.

>> A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE COME SAYS REALLY HEARTBROKEN.

THEY'RE GRIEVING IN MAY.

YOU KNOW, ARE WANTING MORE.

AND I BEING ABLE TO GET THEM SOME TOOLS FOR HOW TO START THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE THAT THEY LOVE CARE ABOUT AND WANT TO SEE SUCCEED.

>> HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN ALEXIS JACKSON SAYS THAT'S WHY SHE WANTED TO JOIN THE PROGRAM.

ISN'T MYSELF, YOU KNOW, WITH PRIDE THAT THE MOTIVE IN THE U.S. MAKING.

>> MOST THIS STUFF LIKE THAT AND HELPING PEOPLE LIKE TRY TO CONVINCE THEM THAT HAVING A GUN ON THEM IS NOT OKAY AND THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO MAKE YOURSELF SAFE >> THEIR APPROACH IS SIMPLE.

THEY BELIEVE GUNS MAKE US LESS SAFE.

A MESSAGE FOUNDER, NINO VINIK HAS BEEN MORE THAN A DECADE ADVOCATING MOST PEOPLE, INCLUDING MOST YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BOUGHT INTO THE MYTH.

THAT HAVING A GUN IS GOING MAKE THEM SAFER.

BUT IT IS A MYTH.

HOMES WITH GUNS HAVE HIGHER RATES OF SUICIDE AND HOMICIDE ARE AT GREATER RISK OF DYING BY GUN VIOLENCE.

IF YOU HAVE A AT HOME AND COMMUNITIES WITH MORE GUNS HAVE MORE GUN VIOLENCE, NOT THE ORGANIZATION HOPES TO REACH YOUNG PEOPLE DIGITALLY BY BUILDING SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS TO SPARK ACTION AMONG COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

THEIR MOST RECENT CAMPAIGN GUNS CHANGE THE STORY IS ONE OF THEM.

SO THE IDEA BEHIND GUNS CHANGE THE STORY IS TO HELP TEENS UNDERSTAND HOW EVERYDAY MOMENTS IN THEIR LIVES CAN REALLY CHANGE IN AN INSTANT WHEN A GUNMAN ENTERS THE PICTURE.

BUT I WAS LIKE OUTSIDE SCHOOL WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS FRUSTRATED WITH SENSE THAT SO SHOT RIGHT IN FRONT MONTHS.

>> 19 YEAR-OLD AND GAR VILCHES HAS BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR A YEAR.

>> GROWING UP THE MOMENT, KAGAN.

IT WAS, YOU KNOW, ALWAYS TURNING ON CERTAIN NEWS NETWORKS.

AND HERE IN THE HEADLINES YOU GUYS SAW GUN HAPPEN.

OR FROM PERSON EXPERIENCING A GUN TIME.

MY SCHOOL AND I KNEW THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT SHOULD BE NORMALIZE.

>> NOW IN HIS FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE, THOSE WHO SAYS HIS PASSION FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION HAS GROWN THANKS TO THIS PROGRAM.

IT WAS A NEW WAY TO TARGET AN ISSUE AND START A MOVEMENT OF YOUNG LEADERS.

>> SO I DECIDED TO APPLY HERE PART OF THE PROJECT, A LOADED NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL.

>> DO A GOOD CHANGE.

YOUR STORY OF THE LOW COMMUNITY OF TEENS BECAUSE IT'S CLOSE.

AND RICK, I HATE TO SAY >> INSTRUCTURE OLIVIA BROWN SAYS SHE STARTED ORGANIZING AT 14 YEARS OLD.

THROUGH HER LIVED EXPERIENCES.

SHE EDUCATES STUDENTS GUIDES THEM TO BE THE CHANGE THEY WANT TO SEE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> AS THEY LEARN MORE OF THE FACTS.

>> YOU SEE THE SHIP FROM.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE I CAN DO ANYTHING OR I DON'T KNOW IF MY VOICE MATTERS TO WEIGH.

IT ACTUALLY DOES.

AND IF I AM COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO USE MY VOICE, THEN GOOD THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

SO THAT'S BEEN REALLY FUN TO >> AND THE ORGANIZATION SAYS IT HAS REACHED CLOSE TO 150,000 TEENS ACROSS CHICAGO THROUGH THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS ON INSTAGRAM AND SNAPCHAT REPORTING FROM DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

I'M JOHN AT 9 THIS.

I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

SOCIAL MEDIA EVERYWHERE.

THANK YOU, JOANNA.

NOW THE AVERAGE AGE FOR CHICAGOANS TO WITNESS THE SHOOTING IS 14 YEARS OLD.

>> THAT'S ACCORDING TO A STUDY IN THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

WE'RE GOING TO TURN TO SEVERAL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CITY TO HEAR THEIR FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCES ABOUT HOW VIOLENCE AND SAFETY CONCERNS IMPACT THEIR DAILY LIVES.

JOINING US, OUR ERICA SMITH, A MEMBER OF THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AT AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS.

JONATHAN MORALES, WHO IS PARTICIPATING IN THE MIX, A CHALLENGE THAT'S A PROGRAM TEACHING HIGH SCHOOLERS HOW TO BE ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM SO THEY CAN BE INFORMED CITIZENS AND LEADERS AND THE VARIOUS JONES USE LEADER WITH COMMUNITIES UNITED AND ITS VOICES OF YOUTH IN CHICAGO, EDUCATION INITIATIVE THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR BEING HERE NOW TO LET'S START WITH YOU.

GO INSIDE ANOTHER STUDY HERE.

AND THIS COMES FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THAT GETTING SHOT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR BLACK USE.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOU MOVING UP THE STATS, BUT THAT REALITY THAT YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE AWARE OZON YOUR FRIENDS IN AUSTIN >> THIS EVERY DAY WE WHEN WE GO OUTSIDE TO GIVE HAVE TO BE ASKED TO CAUSES TO LIGHT, WE AWARE OF OUR SURROUNDINGS.

MAKE SURE.

WE DON'T TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

SO IT IS WE ARE AWARE OF IT.

WE JUST TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT >> BUT YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT IS SAME TIME.

SO IT'S SORT OF TUG THERE.

I'M GUESSING GOT MORE CAUSES.

ERICA, IS THAT SOMETHING RESONATES WITH YOU?

>> ACTUALLY HAVE A COUPLE OF FRIENDS THAT HAVE JUST RECENTLY PASSED AWAY DUE TO GUN VIOLENCE ONE OF THEIR FUNERALS ARE TOMORROW.

IS JUST LIKE REALLY BAD.

KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE EVERY 5 MINUTES TURN BEHIND YOU AND BE LIGHT ON EDGE.

EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

>> YOU CAN SO DIDN'T KNOW 8.

HOW ARE YOU COPING?

>> JUST DAY BY DAY.

CAUSE FIGHT.

EVERYBODY KEEPS DYING.

SO A CERTAIN POINT YOU GET TO LIKE.

IT'S JUST LIKE I DON'T KNOW.

>> DOES IT FEEL LIKE YOU SORT OF HAVE TURN YOURSELF OFF AND WHILE YOURSELF AWAY FROM IT OR >> THE KIND I HAVE TO KIND OF LIKED HER.

MY FEELINGS OFF BECAUSE LIKE, YOU KNOW, A PERSON CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH SO AFTER LOSING SO MANY PEOPLE, IT BECOMES LIKE SOMETHING JUST SITE.

BUT CERTAIN PEOPLE GET CLOSER.

>> YEAH, I'M YOU KNOW, IT GETS A PRETTY STRESSFUL THING TO LIVE WITH SUCH A YOUNG AGE.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THAT FOR >> I KEEP THAT WORK LIKE FOCUS OFF OF IT.

DOWN TO >> FOCUS ON SCHOOLWORK YOU HAVE A OUR FOR COMMUTE TONIGHT.

IS RIGHT?

AS THEY WITH THEM?

THEY HAVE DO A LOT.

>> ALSO LIKE MY SON LIKE MY MENTOR.

SO I REALLY DO >> YOU RUN SCARY SITUATION OR A STRUGGLE AND DO WE ALWAYS COULD TALK TO EACH OTHER?

IS VERY WELCOME.

OPEN THIS SPACE.

>> SO I REALLY ENJOYED SO I WITHOUT ANYTHING.

>> THAT'S I'M NOT TRYING TO IGNORE.

IT US A BIT ABOUT WHERE WHERE YOU LIVE AND DOES ANY OF THIS I LIVE MORE LIKE IN THE SOUTH SIDE.

SO LIKE AN AREA CALLED CHUCK AND HONESTLY LIKE THE AREA, I WOULD SAY IT'S KIND OF.

BUT IT'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, AS YOU KNOW, COURSE, ITS OWN CONS.

COURSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S VIOLENCE.

THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE GAME SOMEWHERE.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, I'M GOING TO BE CAUTIOUS WHEREVER I'M WALKING.

WAS THAT LOOK LIKE >> BEING AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS, DON'T WHAT IT.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

HONESTLY, LIKE TO ME PERSONALLY, I I LIVE THERE MY WHOLE LEG.

SO I THINK I'M KIND OF JUST USED TO LIKE JUST WALKING NOW WORRY ABOUT MUCH.

>> YEAH, RECENTLY IT'S GETTING LIKE WE'RE SO OF COURSE YOU GOT TO BE LIKE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL TURN OUT TO BE YOU SOMEDAY.

>> YOU FEEL LIKE IT'S GETTING WORSE.

YEAH, YEAH, I DO.

THAT SAID THERE ARE STEREOTYPES ABOUT YOUR AREA AT ALL THAT YOU THINK PEOPLE GET WRONG.

>> I'M HONESTLY NOT REALLY.

I FEEL LAKE VERY I LIVE IN.

IT DOESN'T IT DOESN'T GET TALKED AS MUCH.

SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S MUCH THEY'RE REAL TYPICAL THINGS BEING I OF COURSE, LAKE.

I JUST I DON'T KNOW.

I FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, AND JUST LIKE BECAUSE SHE'S A NO.

VIOLENCE IN THE AREA.

SO, OF COURSE, IT'S GOING TO SOME TYPE OF SHOOTING BACK BACK TO BACK TO ONE ANOTHER.

SO JUST GOING TO BE CAUTIOUS IN THE KEEP YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

ON A CAUTIOUS AND JUST KEEP MOVING ON WITH YOUR DAY TO DAY LIFE.

>> IF YOU HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ANY OF YOUR PEERS OR FRIENDS, PERHAPS ABOUT.

>> WHY USING A GUN IS NOT THE RIGHT CHOICE OR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GUNS IN WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHERE THE FEELS LIKE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

>> SUCH AS LIKE SO BOX SPEECHES, YOU KNOW, THAT KIND OF WHAT IS THAT?

YOU'RE ALSO SPEECHES.

SOME BOX FEATURES ARE KIND OF JUST LIKE ON SPEECHES ABOUT THINGS THAT ABOUT A YOUTH LIKE WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT THE MOST, LIKE PROBLEMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT THEY CARE ABOUT THE MOST.

SO IT COULD BE LIKE PUBLIC HOUSING, GANG VIOLENCE, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, JUST SORT OF THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO IN THOSE SPEECHES, YOU KIND OF HEAR MUCH ABOUT LIKE GUNS AND WHAT YOU SHOULD DO TO MAYBE TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION TO BRING DOWN THE LAKE, THE GUN RATE AND YEAH, SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED YOU KNOW HIM START.

YOU'RE REALLY GOING THROUGH SOME REALLY HARD TIMES.

AND YET SOME.

>> COOL RECENTLY.

YOU DID GET TO VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE FOR A USE POLICY SUMMIT TO DO TALK WITH ANYBODY WASHINGTON ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED DO YOU THINK THAT THEY HEARD YOU?

>> YEAH, I'VE ACTUALLY HAD LIKE A COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS WITH A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE PEOPLE WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CHOTEAU, I FORGOT HER POSITION.

BUT AND I'VE ALSO TALKED TO SECRETARY CARDONA, HEAD OF EDUCATION.

SO I'VE TALKED TO SOME HIGH-PROFILE PEOPLE THAT CAN >> MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY.

WHAT WOULD HE TELL YOU?

>> I DEFINITELY TRIED TO LIKE ADVOCATE AS MUCH AS I COULD NOT JUST THE BLACK COMMUNITY BUT THE MINORITY COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

OUR VERY POORLY BALANCED SHOULD I SAY BECAUSE I EXPERIENCE BOTH.

I WENT FROM I USED TO OAK PARK AREA.

SO I WENT I WENT TO A SCHOOL THAT WAS REALLY WELL RESOURCED SAYING VERSUS NOW WHERE FEEL AND SEE A DIFFERENCE.

>> YEAH, BECAUSE CAME FROM UP NORTH FROM SCHOOL AND THEN I WENT OUT SOUTH TO CSCS LONGWOOD IN.

I WENT FROM SCORING TO THE IN THE 100%.

HOW TO SCORING IN THE 60TH PERCENTILE DUE TO EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON.

AND JUST LIKE THE MENTAL HEALTH STRESS, IT BEYOND JUST EDUCATION AND TEACHING.

IT'S IT'S THE MENTAL HEALTH STRESS.

SOMETHING UNDERSTAND WAS PART OF THIS WHITE HOUSE SUMMIT.

YOU KNOW, I WANT TO GO DUE TO VARIOUS.

>> IN TERMS OF WHERE YOU SPEND YOUR WAKING HOURS AT SCHOOLS, YOU FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL.

>> SOMETIMES LIKE MY SCHOOL.

IT'S NOT THE MOST COMPASSION.

WITH SAFETY.

AND ESPECIALLY LIKE THE BUT THEY DO OFFER PROGRAMS TO HELP WITH DAY TO TRY TO MAKE IT BETTER.

AND MY MY PROGRAM CAN UNITE NATION.

WE DO P CIRCLES THERE EVERY WEDNESDAY WE TRY TO ENGAGE, DO HELP MAKE SURE WE CAN DO BETTER AND CHANGES.

DO A LITTLE CHANGE >> JONATHAN, ABOUT YOU?

WHAT IS YOU.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

YOUR SCHOOL SAFETIES APPROACHED?

>> HONESTLY NOT REALLY TOO SURE ON WELL, I CAN ANYWAY, MY SCHOOL IS HONESTLY, IT'S SOME I CAN SAY MAYBE LIKE SOMEONE, MAYBE NOT THE BEST, BUT IT'S AT SOME WHAT TYPE OF OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF FIGHTS.

THERE'S LIKE FIGHTS.

THERE JUST A LOT OF IT.

HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THAT?

JUST TRYING STAY AWAY?

YEAH.

THEY KIND OF JUST LIKE AS TIM GO A DIFFERENT ROUTE OR ON JUST TRY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY.

BUT, OF COURSE, YOU SOME PEOPLE DO SAME.

>> SO JUST WANT TO LOOK AT THE FIGHT JUST TO SEE LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND ALL OF THAT.

SO, YEAH, THAT'S WHAT THE KIND OF DO IT.

THERE'S A FIGHT.

THE KIND OF NAVIGATE YOU WILL TO A DIFFERENT ROUTE.

MY SCHOOL.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR EACH OF YOU FOR SHARING YOUR I LOOK FORWARD HEARING WHAT YOU DO.

GOING TO ACCOMPLISH A HAVE GOOD FEELINGS.

AND AGAIN, ERIC, I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSSES.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES.

WHAT IS BEHIND LEADERSHIP CHANGES AT A HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THE BEARS ARE EXPECTED TO UNVEIL PLANS FOR A NEW DOMED LAKEFRONT STADIUM AHEAD OF THE NFL DRAFT.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT ON THE MEND OF IN THANK YOU WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

AND NEXT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ITS 18