Youth Safety and Violence Prevention

Chico Tillmon, YSVP’s New Executive Director—After 16 years in prison, Chico is a few months away from his PhD. Here's his story, and his plan for the future of our Youth Safety and Violence Prevention programs. Read more about Chico Tillmon.

HEALING IS PREVENTION

The Y’s Youth Safety and Violence Prevention program (YSVP) is a comprehensive, trauma- informed approach to violence prevention that looks at past exposure to trauma as a main driver of future dangerous behaviors. Everything we do is designed to help our region’s most vulnerable young people become leaders in their own communities.

HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE LIVE MORE STABLE, FULFILLING LIVES.

The Y works every day to transform lives and communities. Amidst the ongoing problem of violence in Chicago, the Y provides leadership and initiatives that help make our neighborhoods safe. Based on growing bodies of research, we know that chronic exposure to traumatic stress places thousands of Chicago area youth at risk of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sleep disturbance and somatization. Left untreated, these symptoms can lead to engagement in maladaptive coping mechanisms and behaviors such as drug use, academic failure, self-harm, bullying, gang involvement, incarceration, and early death.

STRENGTHENING YOUTH RESILIENCY

The Y’s approach to violence prevention is designed to reduce this cycle of harm, mobilizing what Dr. Bruce Perry has called the fundamental power of rhythm and relationships. We move towards this vision by working to reduce adverse childhood experiences, building community protective factors, and strengthening human resiliency. Importantly, the Y’s commitment to violence prevention represents an evolution of our decades-long work with those youth at the highest risk of both violent victimization and the perpetration of violent acts.

Learn more: 

Mission and Objectives 
Our Programs 
Support YSVP

YOUTH SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS

YSVP operates five ongoing programs and one special initiative, each of which is described below. All of these efforts are designed to build out our ‘Circle of Care’.

• Urban Warriors
• Story Squad
• Bridging the Divide
• Parent Cafe and Leadership Program
• Street and School Intervention Program (SIP)
• Restoring Individual, Supporting Everyone (RISE)

SUPPORT THE Y's YOUTH SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION (YSVP) PROGRAM

It is only through support from our foundation and corporate partners and private donations that we are able to do this important work. Please support our cause.

To learn more about the program and how you can support YSVP contact ysvp-generalinfo@ymcachicago.org. 
Interested in telling the YSVP story? Contact ysvp-mediainquiries@ymcachicago.org. 

Interested in making a donation now? Click here to submit your donation.