ECCSC believes in dealing with people where they are, and within their own communities. By utilizing the life experience and street influence of “Ex-Cons”, ECCSC has created change in men who have previously perpetrated violence throughout Chicago. We view the current state of crime and violence as a lifestyle, where peer pressure, social media, miseducation, poverty, unemployment, mental health issues and unhealthy role models contribute to unchecked gangs, drugs and violence.

ECCSC knows working within, and directly interacting with the community is a must when it comes to helping to reduce violence By creating collaborative networks of law enforcement, school officials, business owners and community stakeholders, ECCSC has proven that influencing a culture of civic engagement directly effects conflict resolution. ECCSC’s methods handle each person and community from their own unique culture and/or mental paradigm.

ECCSC represents real, tangible and transformative change. Our plan of action for reducing violence involves personal engagement with those individuals who see the “blocks” as their territory. We use a culturally specific tactics in order to connect with these individuals and communities, involving face to face, interpersonal mediation tactics formative to the breakdown of each “clique” and/or autonomous sub-groups. This allows ECCSC to create a climate of trust with these individuals, in order to offer an alternative to the oft-seen culture of crime in impoverished communities.

ECCSC and its coalition of civic, social, and business partnerships are engaged with hundreds of formerly incarcerated individuals who have taken on the responsibility of serving their communities. Our knowledge in violence de-escalation gives us an upper-hand compared to traditional law enforcement methods.

We are Community Servants.

It’s going to take us to save us.