Cabrini Green church combats youth violence with after-school program

A buck can go a long way when you are trying to change the life of kid.

So as legislators debate about where -- or whether -- to find the money to pay for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s new plan to reduce youth violence, faith-based organizations say to anyone who doubts that they are doing a good job that the proof is in the pudding.

“Come and see our efforts -- we are dedicated to providing our young people with productive and engaging opportunities so they don’t just think about living day to day,” the Rev. Walter Johnson, executive director of the Alliance for Community Peace, said.

Every day more than 200 Cabrini-Green neighborhood kids can be found dancing, rapping or reading within the walls of Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church, home to the Alliance for Community Peace after-school program.

State and local officials have cited the alliance as a successful model for organizations aiming to combat youth violence by providing outlets for at-risk youth.

Johnson urges legislators to support the governor’s new Community Investment Works initiative. The plan would provide an additional $20 million for after-school programs in high-crime areas.

“We would love to bring more young people in, yet the challenge is for most organizations, faith- or community-based is funding,” Johnson said.

“They understand the community history and needs, and people respect and trust them,” said Joan Pernecke, program director for Project Reclaim at the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

Project Reclaim funnels federal money to groups that essentially are providing alternatives to youth referred to them who are involved in gun violence, drugs, and to communities victimized by these youth.

Pernecke said youth involved in ACP programs have a 100 percent completion rate. Most juveniles referred to the program remain active after they have completed service hours with the program.

If Blagojevich's plan approved by the Illinois General Assembly, Johnson said the ACP would definitely apply for additional money that would allow them to reach more youth. But with summer quickly approaching, he wonders how soon the money would be available.

“We want to continue to be here in the community giving our support, guidance and, most importantly, love because often times these young people are coming from places where that love is not always expressed.”