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City of Champaign, Acclivus launch hiring for street outreach team
City of Champaign, Acclivus launch hiring for street outreach team
✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Champaign, Illinois
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) The City of Champaign is taking proactive steps to address gun violence through a partnership with Acclivus, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, specializing in community violence intervention. They have announced the hiring of a new street outreach team aimed at preventing and responding to gun violence within the community. This initiative comes as part of a larger, more comprehensive strategy called the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint. With funding through a $450,000 Blueprint contract, this initiative will create five full-time positions: a Site Director, a Case Manager, and three Outreach Workers. The Case Manager and Outreach Worker roles each offer a salary of $49,000 per year, while the Site Director position is expected to pay around $59,000 per year, based on the candidate's experience. All positions come with benefits and are actively posted on the Acclivus job board, reflecting a significant investment in local resources to combat violence. The new outreach team will be tasked with critical responsibilities, including de-escalating conflicts, supporting victims of violence, and connecting individuals and families with essential services. They aim to build relationships within high-risk neighborhoods to foster a sense of community and collaboration when preventing violence. Jorge Elvir, the Community Relations Manager for the City of Champaigns Equity and Engagement Department, emphasized the community-based approach of this initiative. He commented, "This is a homegrown approach designed to be led by people who know our community and care deeply about its future." Elvir further explained that this program seeks not only to mitigate crime but to create a supportive network for victims and their families. The initiative is designed to mobilize community power by leveraging local knowledge and expertise. Acclivus was selected for its robust hiring infrastructure and extensive experience in violence interruption, demonstrating the citys commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the ongoing issues of gun violence. The partnership aims for eventual local leadership in the violence prevention initiative once a solid framework is established. Elvir stated, "The long-term vision is for this work to be sustained and led by the Champaign community itself." Last year, an RFP was issued to solicit proposals from local organizations to provide street outreach services; however, no proposals were submitted due to a lack of infrastructure and experience in street intervention. The city recognizes this gap in local capacity as a key barrier to establishing effective outreach. In addition to the five full-time positions, Acclivus is offering part-time stipends for community members who will assist in outreach, injecting economic investment directly into these neighborhoods through staffing and operational funding. Elvir, who has a deep background in public safety and education, noted the importance of an integrated approach to prevent and respond to violence. The contract with Acclivus is set to last for one to two years as the city and its partners work hand in hand to build a system that prioritizes proactive violence prevention measures. Once the new team is established and operational, they will join a coalition of city partners, including organizations such as YouthBuild and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Champaign County, all engaged in a collaborative attempt to reduce violence and enhance community ties. With this multifaceted initiative, there's hope that the community's prevailing trust and safety can be restored. Elvir remarked, "Every step of this plan is about building capacity within the community. This work is vital to continuing our mission of fostering trust and safety in Champaign."