Chicago Violence-Free Zone

CNE’s newest Violence-Free Zone is located in Chicago, IL, where youth violence has made national headlines during the past few years. The VFZ program is implemented by the K.L.E.O. (Keep Loving Each Other) Community Family Life Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and facility dedicated to strengthening families and providing a safe haven through education, training, support, and fun for people of all ages in the Washington Park and adjacent communities. K.L.E.O. provides comprehensive mentoring services to 100 high-risk students who are or were enrolled at Paul Robeson High School.

The K.L.E.O. goal is to create an enhanced ability to navigate the world by providing the necessary tools, skills, and support needed for community participants to become a productive part of society. K.L.E.O. mounts computer classes, resume writing classes, GED programs, and after school tutoring and homework assistance for school age children. K.L.E.O. also hosts a very popular Open Mic Night to allow youths age 15-22 to express themselves through the art of singing, rapping, poetry, or dance.

K.L.E.O. is directed by Torrey Barrett, who founded the organization in 2007 after a sister was killed in domestic violence. The objectives of the Chicago VFZ program, supported by a grant from Chicago Public Schools, is to reduce the likelihood that the students will engage in aggressive behavior or criminal activity, and decrease the frequency of the students' truancies, suspensions, and expulsions.  The VFZ program also seeks to improve students' academic performance and increase their involvement in extra-curricular activities. With direction and training by the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, the K.L.E.O. center recruits, screens, hires, and manages Youth Advisors from the community to act as mentors to the young people.