Camille Travis

June is recognized as Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time to honor gun violence survivors and advocate to put an end to gun violence. Organizations all across Chicago are planning a number of activities across the city and throughout the month. Find the many ways you can support.

Ahead of the launch of the 2026 Peace Portraits, Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Communications Manager Camille Travis and Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Outreach Supervisor Tavares Harrington appeared on ABC7 Chicago’s Our Chicago to discuss the project and the honorees being celebrated for their work.

Illinois Peace Project is proud to announce the honorees for its 2026 Peace Portraits series, a visual project dedicated to spotlighting the extraordinary individuals working every day to build safer, stronger, and more peaceful communities. 

It was a packed house at the North Lawndale Collaborative‘s (NLC) quarterly community meeting, as residents, Community Violence Intervention (CVI) professionals, and elected officials gathered to hear insights on the work being done on the ground to combat violence in the area.

New Life Centers (NLC) CEO Matt DeMateo was recently honored with the 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker Award from the Chicago Bears for his impactful social justice work in Chicago. The award comes at a joyous time as NLC celebrates 20 years of service.

A group of more than 30 business, civic, faith, and nonprofit leaders from across Chicago recently came together to denounce the federal immigration operation that has played out in recent months across the city and surrounding suburbs.

In the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to cancel public safety grants, several Community Violence Intervention (CVI) leaders from across Chicago and the state testified before the Illinois General Assembly, calling for sustained funding as they continue in the fight to reduce gun violence.

Calling all peacebuilders and changemakers: The application window for the 2026 Peace Portraits is now open.

As individuals and organizations committed to reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety in Chicago, we strongly object to the immoral, illegal, and unjustified actions of federal law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in our city.

Governor JB Pritzker recently stopped by The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart to discuss the Trump administration’s decision to cut critical funding for Community Violence Intervention (CVI).