Indian American aims to combat gun violence in Chicago

Dr Vijay Prabhakar has conceptualized the Gandhi King Center for Non-Violence for worst affected communities

This may sound ironic but it’s the truth the world is now fully aware of. The United States, the world’s largest economy in terms of gross domestic product and the most technologically sound country is also a nation that is bleeding due to gun violence.

According to the research database, the Gun Violence Archive, the past three years have seen 600 mass shootings in the US, almost two a day every day in America! Among some of the worst affected cities due to gun violence in America, some Chicago neighborhood have always been infamous.

Read: Waiting for a green card amidst gun violence in America (July 7, 2022)

An Indian American social activist and community leader has taken some concrete steps to work towards combating the menace of gun violence especially in Chicago city.

Dr Vijay Prabhakar has conceptualized and initiated the Gandhi King Center for Non-Violence. The center that was launched this week aims to restore the reputation of Chicago as a city known for its impressive overarching skyline and beautiful landscapes that have helped it to secure a top spot in the World’s Best Cities list.

It’s no longer a Chicago secret, that the local residents struggle with violence and gun related crimes. Shooting incidents are a common occurrence taking place at the South Side of Chicago’s Downtown area.

The Englewood Community has especially suffered greatly in the past few years marred with similar incidents. Just in time and to commemorate the Black History Month, the Gandhi King Center for Non-Violence NFP, a first of its kind institution was launched at Englewood, Illinois.

Prabhakar, a public health professional hopes that this initiative will bring some long-term benefits in actually working towards the root cause of gun violence in the city.

Read: Enough is enough: Kamala Harris on gun violence in America (May 30, 2022)

The initiative would also provide services like meditation, yoga, music therapy, color therapy, basketball coaching, group therapy, mobile food trailer, mental health services, mediation – crisis intervention and wellness screenings to reduce violence and crime.

Additionally, focus will be on getting city vacant lands to be developed for vocational skill development. A 24-hour crisis hotline is also part of the center’s mission.

Dr Twin Green, Chairperson, the Gandhi King Center for Non-Violence, said that the Englewood community can now breathe!

Read: U.S. Attorney’s Office Provides Update on Chicago Firearms Trafficking Strike Force (August 22, 2022)

“There have been so many opportunities, businesses and providers that have come to Englewood with the intent to do very, very well,” she said. “Then the air will go out and deflate but not the Gandhi King Center for Nonviolence.”

“The resources that are going to come to this community are not going to deflate. We’re going to give the people of Englewood the opportunity to stabilize, to be able to receive the civil and economic rights that they deserve to have.”