The West Communities YMCA, as part of a larger YMCA of Metro Chicago initiative, offers the street intervention program that works to decrease violence in 11 Chicago areas. Created in 1990 as a response to growing violence, SIP is a globally-recognized program that helps increase young people’s self-esteem through after school activities.
Those involved with SIP help mediate gang disputes by promoting non-violent solutions to interpersonal and group conflicts. SIP workers meet with youth during the school day and on the street corners in the evening.
The program also works to enable parents, teachers, school administrators and other adults in youths lives to identify gangs, gang symbols and gang practices.
Perhaps the most important and influential part of SIP is having a strong presence in the communities it serves. With the help of West Communities YMCA, SIP has a strong presence within these southwest communities.
Currently, SIP has a presence in:
- Logan Square
- Humboldt Park
- Little Village
- Pilsen
- Avondale
- Back of the Yards
- Belmont-Cragin
- Englewood
- Hermosa
- North Lawndale
- West Town
For more information, please call the YMCA Metro office at 312.932.1200.
Latest Tweets @STCswchicago
October 30, 2012 4:31 pm
Hi Katie,
There is some misleading information in this article. We appreciate that you wanted to cover this program, but I’d love to clarify the service areas and direct you to the program’s Executive Director for a more thorough review of the operation.
Richard Rosenow
October 30, 2012 4:37 pm
Hi Richard -
Sorry to hear we have incorrect information. I would very much like to talk to the Executive Director to ensure we have the correct and current programming information.
Please email me at swchicago@suntimes.com.
Thanks!
-Katie
December 11, 2012 11:05 am
I would like to appreciate the efforts of YMCA for initiating Street Intervention Program (SIP). The violence is always intolerable, especially among youth. I wish a grand success of all these after school activities. Thanks Katie for great Article.