READI Chicago, while designed to decrease shootings and homicides among those at highest risk of gun violence, also aims to create new opportunities for these same individuals to change their life trajectory.
This month, we caught up with participants who finished their 18 months of subsidized employment and are now building on their successes in READI Chicago.
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Tyrell Murry Community: Englewood “I used to have an anger problem, but READI Chicago straightened me out. They teach you how to react to how people talk to you. You get a chance to sit around and express yourself. Everybody needs someone to talk to.” |
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Scottie Brown Community: Austin/West Garfield Park “I’m doing this because I want to show participants trying to change their lives that anything is possible when they finish READI Chicago.” |
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JacQuay Carr Community: Austin/West Garfield Park “My life is different now—I’m not hiding. I live my life out in the open. I want people to see what I’m going through because it might help someone else.” |
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Brandon Davis Community: North Lawndale “I learned a lot with my attitude from READI Chicago. I don’t snap on people anymore. I take my time to think things through. CBT works.” |
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Jermaine Jackson Community: North Lawndale “READI Chicago helped me understand that you can always go forward—you don’t have to focus on the past. It helps me get up every morning with a smile on my face and do what I have to do.” |
