Tina, a seventh grader, started at a new school in Chicago’s Englewood community when she moved in with her foster family last year. Tina was struggling with anger issues and managing her stress levels to the point that it was severely impacting her behavior at school. She started missing assignments, calling in sick and feeling disconnected from school. One of her teachers recommended she try going to Children’s Home + Aid’s Community Schools programming (which we help to fund).

On her first day of after school programming, she participated in dance class where she made a strong connection with her dance instructor. She decided to give the program a chance. For the rest of the school year, Tina went every day after school where she received therapy, tutoring, cooking and dance lessons. At a time in her life when she was ready to give up on school, she found a safe and nurturing environment where she feels she belongs.

In the spring, Tina took Chicago Public Schools standardized testing. Out of her entire school, she achieved the highest scores in math and reading. She also won an art competition for a child abuse awareness poster that she created. This encouraged her to participate in more advocacy campaigns about social service funding. Today, Tina is thriving in school. She was recently adopted by her foster mother and is excited about her future.

Watching your back is rule number 1 in Kyree's neighborhood, the Southside of Syracuse, NY. A full 80 percent of all gun murders in Syracuse takes place there. Beyond the threat of flying bullets, Southside children are also vulnerable to being swept up in street crime and violence.

Fortunately, Kyree has the Journey to Manhood Program (J2M) at the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility to give him focus, direction, and opportunity. Through J2M, this budding musician is learning about a variety of musical styles and enjoying the rhythm of poetry as well. The program also equips Kyree with conflict resolution skills to help him cope with the challenges of living in on the Southside.

Best of all, J2M gives Kyree the opportunity to experience the world outside his dangerous neighborhood by traveling to cultural venues in Syracuse where he can safely develop his interests and dream big. He is fortunate to have a solid family behind him who supports his participation in the program. As Kyree's mom says, "[J2M] helps him use his mind and to see something other than people on the corner."

The "Unheard Voices: Violence and Peace Project" has helped me think more about victims' inner feelings and past. It's helped me feel more empathy and to show more kindness to victims instead of nodding my head and feeling pity for them. I now see victims of violence as strong people who had a rough past but survived and are here today. It also made me think about those victims who are not here today. The project really made me appreciate the life I live and although times get tough there are people that have it tougher. Most of all this project made me feel good to be giving a voice to these victims and letting them know that they are not alone and that there are people who understand them.