POWER—People Organizing for Work, Education, & Resources—is a collective of current and former READI Chicago participants focused on community organizing to create safer communities and more opportunities for the people most impacted by gun violence.
Formed in the last year to address a desire among READI participants to be more actively involved in their communities, the POWER group meets regularly to identify ways they can increase community safety and plan how to mobilize their networks to do so. POWER members are committed to being part of the solution to gun violence in their communities, in addition to support from government and social service programs.
| Meet the POWER Team | |
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Jawan “I’m in POWER because I’m trying to make a difference. We need to give attention and resources back to the kids in our neighborhoods. READI has helped me get my life to where it is now—I see how someone dealing with homelessness is more likely to get into a violent situation. I see what a long way I’ve come and want to keep building on that.” |
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Anthony “I’m part of POWER because it gives us an opportunity to make things happen. We decide what we want to accomplish, versus someone else telling us what to do. It gives us the opportunity to take charge, and I’m focused on doing something about the laws that continue to affect ex-offenders. For example, I’ve been home three years, but there are still certain jobs and licenses that I can’t get. As POWER members, we’re doing something productive, giving back, and effecting change—the future is bright.” |
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Ricky “With the POWER group, I get to directly address the issues to affect me and all the problems I faced when I got out, like employment or people using my criminal background against me. If I’m free, I’m free, so it was a no-brainer for me to join the group.” |
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Darryl “I like being part of POWER because of how we deal with things that come our way, and how we’re focused on our community and how we can make changes for the better. I want to see us working to change the way police approach people in our neighborhoods, and I want to do everything I can to wake up some young minds.” |
