We are so thankful for the tireless work of Shawn Childs- brought on our staff team this summer to support and increase his work of House of Hope Mentoring adding his expertise in anti-violence mentoring, community organizing, and passion for our children and teens as part of our team and deeply integrating his work into our programming. During afterschool he has been leading mentoring sessions with our upper elementary and junior high youth discussing their community: about the violence present, about their own responses to conflict, and how they can make a difference in our community.

This fall, with the help of MANY community partners he led the vision to plan the “No Kids Die in the Chi” Peace Walk organized with Rooted Reps of River City Community Church which occurred this past Saturday, October 30. We are so thankful for the support of community leaders, River City church members as well as the R CITY kids and families who attended and volunteered. Our R CITY children prepared for the event during after school programs designing their own signs and putting their voice on display. We are so proud of their passion and clear message to their neighbors declaring they are children worthy of peace, worthy of a childhood free from fear of violence, and free from grieving the loss of family members and classmates to gun violence. Shawn’s goal is to reach at least ONE young person or young adult in our community who may commit violence with a gun to slow down- and think of the innocent lives that will be impacted. We pray for long lasting impact from the Peace Walk- that we would SOON see a year where NO KIDS DIE in the CHI.

For more information on how to connect with Shawn’s House of Hope mentoring work at R CITY- contact: shawn.childs@rcitycdc.org.