What does CeaseFire do for the Chicago community?
TIO HARDIMAN: We’ve created a model that we use to implement violence prevention programs in the community. We’re in the business of changing behavior and mindsets. We have five core components to our model. First, we have outreach workers and violence interrupters who are professionally trained to work with high risk youth on a daily basis. We have a community response where we hit the streets with the residents and faith-based leaders. We collaborate with these leaders to speak out against violence from the pulpit and be there to provide counseling to the families as we heal our communities. We have public education campaigns with strong messages. Lastly, we have a relationship with law enforcement and they provide us with data so we can see how much of an impact we’ve had on reducing violence. ESSENCE.COM: Even the White House has recognized that your model works. So why aren’t there more CeaseFire workers preventing incidents throughout the state? HARDIMAN: We’ve experienced an ave
