Michael Chester and Donnell Gardner are among those working to interrupt cycles of violence, doing outreach for Chicago C.R.E.D. in the West Pullman-Roseland area. Chicagoans may not yet feel the change but some believe the city is moving away from violence, albeit very slowly. “What we do is create options for them — better options — and if you leave a person with no options, they are definitely going to destruct,” Gardner said.

Story by Leah Hope for ABC 7 News