On January 27, 2025, the Southwest Organizing Project’s (SWOP) Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) team convened a Peace and Wellness Listening Session, bringing together over 40 local stakeholders committed to the safety and well-being of the Southwest Side. The gathering included representatives from local schools, the Chicago Police Department, hospitals, and community-based organizations, all united by the shared goal of listening, learning, and ensuring that violence prevention and wellness efforts are truly aligned with the needs of the community.
The listening session was intentionally designed as a space for dialogue and reflection. Rather than leading with solutions, CP4P focused on collecting community perspectives on safety, wellness, and stability. Participants engaged in one-to-one conversations and small breakout groups, allowing for deeper relationship-building and honest discussion about the challenges impacting their work and the people they serve.
Several organizations were invited to share brief presentations highlighting the resources and services they provide to the community, helping attendees better understand the existing network of support. One organization also spoke directly to the ongoing immigration challenges facing families as a result of current administration policies, grounding the conversation in the urgent realities many community members are navigating.
Breakout discussions centered on four key issues identified as critical to community wellness: immigration, cost of living, public safety, and health. Each group explored guided questions that encouraged participants to reflect on gaps, opportunities for collaboration, and how systems can respond more effectively to community needs. The health-focused breakout was facilitated by Sinai, whose leadership helped guide conversations around access, prevention, and the broader impacts of violence and stress on community health.
The Peace and Wellness Listening Session marked an important step in CP4P’s ongoing commitment to community-driven violence prevention. By creating space for shared learning and honest feedback, SWOP continues to strengthen relationships and ensure its work is rooted in the lived experiences and priorities of the Southwest Side. For anyone interested in future Peace and Wellness conversations, reach out to Armando Mancilla (amancilla@swopchicago.org).
