Build information base to support anti-violence efforts

 I saw an announcement that Chicago business leaders were pledging $100 million to support anti-violence efforts in Chicago.  Gee. When have I heard that before.  

Let's see. Here's a 2013 article talking about a $50 million business commitment.  How'd that go? 

Of course, I've been pointing to this October 1992 Chicago SunTimes article for over 30 years. 

What's not happening? 

First, there's no comprehensive strategy, and nothing has lasted for 10-20 consecutive years.

What should be in a comprehensive strategy?

First.  Maps.  Maps can show where poverty is most concentrated in a geographic region like Chicago. They can show other indicators, such as poorly performing schools, violence, health disparities, etc.

This concept map points to many data platforms leaders can use to build their own map stories and map-based strategies.  I've posted more than 280 articles on this blog demonstrating ways maps can be used.  I've posted many more on the MappingforJustice blog. 

Second. Understand the different needs of kids living in areas of high poverty vs living in other areas. Then inventory existing youth serving programs to understand what programs are serving which kids.

View the graphic shown above in this article.  It's one of several articles in this group, that focus on designing youth programs based on the needs of the youth being served.  View this article to learn of the Tutor/Mentor Connection's 1992-2010 efforts to collect, map and share this information.

Then, look at articles like these, asking "How Many Youth Programs are Needed?"

Concept maps can also serve as blueprints, showing what's needed at each age level. Use this map as a starting point, then create your own version.

Understand what other programs and leaders are already doing, in Chicago, and around the world.
Open the Tutor/Mentor Library and look through the different categories and sub-categories.  There are more than 2000 links to other people's ideas that you can borrow for your own planning.  Don't reinvent the wheel if you can avoid it.  Don't start something new if there's already a project in place that you can support.  

Third. Use this information in an on-going planning process.

This concept map shows the planning cycle. 

This concept map shows planning needed, that fills areas of the map with a full range of programs helping kids through school and into adult lives, and keeps those programs fully funded for 10-20 years.

Before you do any of this, view this "Role of Leaders" visual essay, which I created in the late 1990s.  Look at "Step 2" on Page 10, where it says "Appoint a "get it done" leader.  and "Step 3" on page 11, where it says, "Do your homework."   Then, look at "Step 7" that focuses on CEO commitment to  year-to-year growth and process improvement.  

Role of Business Leaders - Helping Kids From Poverty Areas Move to Careers from Daniel Bassill

I share 30 years of thinking on this blog and on the www.tutormentorexchange.net website that leaders can use to build a comprehensive, long-term plan that actually reduces violence because it reduces the root causes, reaches kids and families in every high poverty area, and reaches the larger community to build and sustain the commitment, and financing, needed.

I've been spreading this message for over 30 years.  But, too few have ever heard what I've been sharing because I had too few resources to tell the story with reach and frequency.

That's still the case. But now, anyone who reads any of my articles can share them with their network, create their own versions, and build the awareness and commitment needed for building and sustaining strategic, long-term plans.

I'm on Twitter (X), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Mastodon, Bluesky and other places. You can find links on this page.  Please connect with me. Share your own vision and strategies.

I'm also dependent on a small group of  donors to help keep this information available.  Visit this page and send a contribution if you'd like to help me.