About United for Change
United for Change is a violence prevention and intervention organization rooted in the heart of Chicago. We are committed to helping young people in the inner city break the cycle of gun violence that has devastated families and communities for generations.
Our work is direct, dangerous, and deeply personal. We operate on the front lines, serving as intermediaries in real-time street conflicts and neighborhood disputes. Our goal is simple but urgent: to resolve tensions before they erupt into gunfire. We believe that no argument is worth a life, and no young person is beyond hope.
Our Mission
To reduce violence, shootings, homicides, and other negative health outcomes in communities disproportionately affected by systemic inequity and disinvestment.
Why It Matters
Chicago’s youth are growing up in an environment where conflict resolution too often ends with tragedy. Our team steps into those moments — often in real time — to de-escalate, to mediate, and to save lives. Beyond that, we offer mentorship, community support, and pathways forward through education, workshops, and collaboration with other trusted local partners.
Our Approach
- Intervention: Acting as peacekeepers and mediators in active street-level conflicts
- Prevention: Empowering young people with alternatives to violence through workshops, mentorship, and skill-building
- Community Healing: Partnering with families, schools, and leaders to rebuild trust and restore safety
Vision for the Future
We envision a unified, resilient Chicago where every young person feels safe walking their block, where parents sleep without fear, and where cycles of violence are broken…. not repeated.