In My Shoes

« Return to Community Outreach

Violence has become a public health issue in our communities. Not only does violence affect our sense of community safety, but it is particularly detrimental to the lives of African-American and Hispanic youth: In the United States, homicide is the leading cause of death for 15–24 year old black males, and the second leading cause of death for Hispanic youth. Yet violence does more than kill; it also causes permanent disability. For those who survive street violence, a life of constant pain and permanent physical limitation is often the result.

At Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, we know prevention is the best medicine, and we’ve developed ways to change these statistics among Chicago-area youth. We’ve created In My Shoes, a violence prevention program aimed at increasing knowledge and changing attitudes about the consequences of violent activity. In My Shoes is available in two formats, including presentations and interactive workshops, both of which involve former gang members and victims of violence speaking to youth about their experiences.

In My Shoes provides an opportunity for some of Schwab’s past patients who have been disabled by violence to serve as peer facilitators. In this role, they talk with youth who are at risk, warning them about the dangers of gang life, and providing practical information on preventing permanent disabilities. In My Shoes de-glorifies gang life by showing the real effects of street violence, and gives youth the direction and encouragement they need to choose a life without gangs. A step beyond simply highlighting the negative aspects of their lives, peer facilitators encourage youth participants by discussing the positive things they are now doing, including attending school, working, and raising families. We see this program as a first essential step towards reducing gun violence and gang involvement.

During the past funding year, we have seen statistically significant increases in our program participants’ knowledge about the consequences of spinal cord and brain injury, as well as statistically significant increases in participants’ knowledge about the consequences of their choices. Further, 93% of participants agreed that they learned something from the program, and 94% said that the program made them think about the consequences of their choices. We believe that the In My Shoes program has been so successful in part due to the fact that youth participants identify with the peer facilitators: 84% of participants agreed that the facilitators had a good understanding of their lives.

Thanks to the Sisyphus Foundation, Rusch, Polk Bros Foundation and Fel-Pro/Mecklenberger, In My Shoes works closely with many organizations to spread the message to youth in Cook, Lake and DuPage Counties. Our partners have included CCIS (Chicago Communities in Schools), the Circuit Court of Illinois, GAIN (Gang Avoidance Initiatives Now), Mannheim School District, Omni Youth Services, Partners for Success, and SWAP (Sheriffs Work Alternative Program). Beginning April 1, 2004, the In My Shoes Program will receive additional funding to partner with the Federal States Attorney. This will allow us to reach out to youth in neighborhoods included in Project Safe Neighborhood. With this collaboration we will be able to reach multiple communities with the same message against violence.

We welcome the opportunity to partner with your organization to decrease the number of disabilities due to violence. Together, we can help make a difference for Chicago-area youth. For more information please contact:

IN MY SHOES
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital
1401 South California Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60608
773.522.2010, extension 5155
www.schwabrehab.org/
inmyshoes@sinai.org