Urban Gateways is among 25 community organizations selected by the Chicago Public School District to provide services through its “Culture of Calm Initiative”, which is part of the district’s $25 million dollar plan to support high schools and communities most at risk of violence. Urban Gateways is the only arts education organization included as a Culture of Calm provider.
On June 22, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Public Schools officials announced that the school system will use almost $25 million in federal economic stimulus funding for mentoring, community watch, and “Culture of Calm” initiatives.
CPS will use $10 million of the funding to support of creating a “Culture of Calm” in 38 high schools where there is a high-risk that students may become involved with violence.
- The funds will be used to support staff development services such as instruction in behavioral management, leadership training, change management and conflict resolution.
- They will support student development services, such as instruction in leadership and student violence prevention.
- The program is expected to result in more focused instructional time in all classrooms, increased staff capacity to address student needs, improved effectiveness of teachers in utilizing behavior intervention techniques, reduction in disruptive student.
The other new programs funded by the stimulus will provide: mentoring services for 1500 high school students at 13 high schools; and 390 “school community watchers” whose assignment will be to keep watch along designated safety routes at arrival and dismissal times of 13 designated high schools.
Below is a full list of all Culture of Calm Providers.
Staff and Student Development Services: Alternatives, Inc. Community Matters Community-Linked Mental Health Services Programs Umoja Student Development Corp. Urban Gateways WES Corporation Youth Guidance
Staff Development Services: Educators for Social Responsibility Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home International Institute for Restorative Practices
Student Development Services: A Knock at Midnight Aspira, Inc. Assist Her, Inc. Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development City Year, Inc. Inner Vision International, Inc. Life Directions Logan Square Neighborhood Association Metropolitan Family Services Mikva Challenge Ripple Effects Black Star Project Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (Cease Fire) Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network Youth and Family Services