The Violence Prevention Collaborative (VPC) and Latino Juvenile Justice Network (LJJN): Organizing and advocating for Peace and for the human rights of Latino youth.

The Little Village Violence Prevention Collaborative is a collective of deeply committed organizations and individuals working toward a just and peaceful community through organizing, advocating and coordinating programs that seek to reduce violence and address issues of economic and social justice. The group is made up of over 20 community organizations, faith based institutions and residents.

 In collaboration with the National Council of La Raza, the VPC advocates for juvenile justice reform to shape a brighter future for Hispanic youth, their families, and communities with the LJJN. The LJJN connects community service providers to juvenile justice reform efforts to address four core issues:

- Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC)

- “Adultification” and “criminalization” of Latino youth, which contributes to differential treatment

- Anti-gang laws targeting Latino youth and their families

- Increased funding for prevention and treatment programs and other alternatives to incarceration

 Ultimately, through community advocacy; media outreach; public education and mobilization; and research and policy analysis efforts, the LJJN works to reduce the number of youth serving sentences for nonviolent offenses and improve outcomes for Hispanic youth in the justice system

 VPC/LJJN Member Institutions:

-          10th District CAPS Office

-          Association House

-          Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

-          Build, Inc.

-          Central States SER, Jobs for Progress

-          Chicago Youth Boxing Club

-          Cook County Trauma Unit

-          Corazon Community Services

-          Enlace Chicago (lead convener)

-          Instituto del Progreso Latino

-          La Villita Community Church

-          Little Village Boys and Girls Club

-          Little Village Community Development Corporation

-          Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund

-          Mujeres Latinas en Accion

-          New Life Community Church

-          Dr. Jorge Prieto Clinic

-          Project Vida

-          The Resurrection Project

-          Scwab Rehabilitation Center: In My Shoes Program

-          Southwest Organizing Project

-          Southwest Youth Collaborative

-          Telpochcalli, Community Education Project

-          VPC Youth Council

-          Woods Boys and Girls Club

-          YMCA Street Intervention Program