Hands Without Guns


Hands Without Guns (HWG) is a public health and education campaign to increase public awareness, influence peer behavior, change policy, and engage adults in dialogue regarding gun violence prevention in Illinois. 

Mission:  HWG is dedicated to reducing violence and the use of handguns through educational workshops, youth projects, and community awareness.  By influencing values and attitudes, HWG strives to guide children toward a future that is free of the fear and pain caused by gun violence.

 

Program Goals:

  1. REDUCE the present and future dangers of handgun violence in Chicago
  2. INCREASE community involvement in the fight against violence and the use of handguns, ultimately saving lives
  3. EMPOWER youth to improve the quality of their lives and lead the way to a safer future

What HWG offers:

  • Community Organizing:  A coalition-building effort to partner with youth service agencies in various communities in Chicago
  • Classroom-based Violence Interruption Workshops:  A comprehensive 6-12 week violence prevention/life skills curriculum that focuses on gun violence, conflict resolution, and civic activism
  • Young Leadership Development Institute:  A forum for aspiring young leaders to become change agents through developing community service projects and community outreach events focused on educating their peers on the dangers of gun violence, risky and unhealthy behaviors, and poor choices.  They also advocate on behalf of issues that affect young people through letter writing campaigns, legislative roundtables and media advocacy. 
  • Changing Directions:  An intensive 6-12 week diversion program redirecting youth who have already been involved in violence-based offenses
  • Teen Gun Survey:  A nationwide survey of teen attitudes towards gun violence and current prevention efforts
  • Teen Report Card:  A nationwide survey of teen attitudes and concerns about the adults in their lives

For a downloadable brochure, please click here.  For more information, please contact Chevelle Bailey, Associate Director of Youth Development.