THE NEED

According to the Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention, violent crimes by youth occur most frequently in the after school hours on school days and in the evenings on non-school days. “On non-school days, the incidence of violence committed by youth increases through the afternoon and early evening hours, peaking between 6pm and 9pm. Consequently, efforts to reduce offending by youth after school would appear to have greater potential to decrease a community’s violent crime rate than curfews” (OJJDP, 2022). 

Four Chicago teenagers are responsible for Aréanah’s murder.  While we are troubled by Aré’s murder, it is even more troubling that this was done at the hands of youth in our very own community.  We can’t help but wonder the support these youth had, or the lack thereof, that caused this tragedy. 

Fueled by the pain of losing such a phenomenal being and the statistics impacting our youth, the Peace For Preston Foundation is committed to establishing a community center on the city’s South Side to provide a safe haven and quality programs and enrichment.

The Peace For Preston Foundation seeks to build a Community Center to offer supports and services including, but not limited to:

• Open Gym, Before & After School Programs to Allow Children a Safe Haven to Play Off of the Streets

• Girls & Boys Mentorship Opportunities 

• Community Outreach Events such as Back to School Picnics and Giveaways

• Gun Violence Prevention Walks and Sporting Events 

• Collaboration with the Chicago Police Department for Safety Promotion & Community Awareness

• Scholarships, with an Emphasis on Forensic Science, Criminal Justice or Law

• Mental Health Awareness Programs and Support

• Full Kitchen Access to Feed the Community 

• Trade School Courses to Produce Job Opportunities in STEM

• Community Courses related to Parenting, Arts, Painting, Entrepreneurship, Homeownership, Financial Literacy and Etiquette

• Summer Camps

• Career Building 

• Move Your Body, Dance Courses for all Ages

• Tutoring

• Delivering Sustainable Health Care

• Medical and Dental Events to Promote Community Health

• Food & Blood Drives

• GED Courses and Testing 

• Spirituality and Faith Based Learning 

• College Planning Support and Tours

• Prom Wear Giveaways