Note: Story updated on April 29. Just west of the Loop is Chicago’s North Lawndale community, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Once a refuge for survivors of the great Chicago fire, it was later a hub for Chicago’s industrial age and eventually one of the places that Martin Luther King Jr. called home. North Lawndale has re-invented itself many times and faced its share of challenges throughout the years, but it remains a vibrant community.

Over the last five years, North Lawndale has been battling a surge in violence, mostly among young African American males. Since 2006, United Way has been working through the African American Initiative (AAI) to develop new, sustainable approaches that will improve the future of at-risk African American young men in five Chicago neighborhoods, including North Lawndale. The strategy behind the AAI is to not only invest money and launch new programs, but to harness communities’ strengths in an effort to fortify their most valuable assets—their youth.

In North Lawndale, United Way is working with the Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN) and the Lawndale Christian Center to convene social service and government agencies, schools, law enforcement, residents and, more importantly, its young people to work cohesively in devising workable solutions.

In Lawndale, youth in the AAI identified safety as a major hurdle on their path to success. To address this, United Way sponsored a public breakfast dialogue on April 8 with more than 50 health and human service experts, community residents, business leaders, educators and other stakeholders to share their expertise and ideas on how to decrease the violence in North Lawndale.

At the breakfast, a panel discussion, was moderated by Norman Baldwin, former program director at YMEN, addressed the importance of collaborations, best practices, systemic change and resources and invited audience members express their views on these and other issues. Participants included Phil Jackson from the Lawndale Christian Church, John Henry from North Lawndale College Prep., Mariame Kaba of the Steans Foundation and Francis Wooley at the North Lawndale Juvenile Justice Collaborative.

“The input of young people is crucial,” said Jackson. “There is a void in those kinds of opportunities, so our young people begin to lose confidence in us. But by us listening to them, they know their voice exists and that it matters.”

Participants also agreed that collaborations among the various social service providers create the best approach to ensuring that young people receive the most holistic care.

“One of our biggest challenges is the constant re-invention of the wheel,” said Kaba. “If we don’t connect the dots with each other, we will never realize the strength there is in numbers. We must find a way to continue to work together.”

Panelists also cited what they felt were critical elements in the formula to keeping youth safe. These included viable employment opportunities, assistance from the federal government, alternatives to college and the presence of fathers and positive male mentors in the lives of young people. The panel also suggested having community centers and schools open until at least 9 p.m.

“Our goal is that everyone involved be truly vested in ensuring that young African American males grow up safe and able to lead successful and productive lives,” said Wendy DuBoe, United Way Chief Community Investment Officer. “Thanks to programs like YMEN, initiatives like the African American Initiative and community discussions like this one, we can also begin to develop a plan for hope.”

The United Way African American Initiative is also currently active in Bronzeville, Englewood, Roseland and Rogers Park.