The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago will host a Youth Against Violence March on May 27th from 9am to 1pm at the Logan Square Club. Over 1,000 students are expected to attend the rally which aims to raise awareness about the increasing problem of youth and gang violence during the summer months. The event will feature live performances from artists with anti-violence themes, guest speaker Dr. Gary Slutkin from Cease Fire, a national violence reduction strategy, as well as music, dancing, and food. The rally is sponsored by several community organizations and aims to provide a safe environment for youth over the summer.

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2011
Contact:
Elizabeth Weber
(office) 312-251-9912
(cell) 815-252-6490
Email: eweber@ksapr.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago to Host Anti-Violence Rally
Organization estimates more than 1,000 students to be in attendance
VISUALS:
• 1,000 youth rallying against violence
• Youth performances: skits, poetry readings, break dancers
• Performing artists: Boogie Down Productions, St. Bagu, DJ Choco
• Guest speaker Dr. Gary Slutkin
CHICAGO — With summer just around the corner, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
(BGCC) will be hosting the Youth Against Violence March on Friday, May 27. The rally
will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Logan Square Club, 3228 W. Palmer St. The
organization hopes to bring awareness to the increasing problem of youth and gangrelated violence during the summer.
“Around this time of the year, we see a spike in youth violence and gang initiations,” said
John Stephan, Club Director of the Logan Square Boys & Girls Club.
The rally also is sponsored by The Miracle Center, a Christian-based organization that
uses the performing arts to help youth and their families, and Cease Fire, a national
public health strategy that aims to reduce community violence. The Miracle Center will
present live performances, including skits and storytelling that contain anti-violence
themes. Dr. Gary Slutkin, Executive Director of Cease Fire, will be a guest speaker.
The event also will include live music, dancing, motivational speakers, a poster
competition, raffle prizes, and food. More than 1,000 students from participating schools
are expected to attend the rally.
“This is a collaborative effort on both our part and the surrounding communities to
ensure we provide a safe and positive environment for our youth this summer.” Stephan
said.
Additional sponsors include Street Smart, the YMCA, Chicago Public Schools, No Idle
Hands, Healthy Hermosa Coalition and Allstate.

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC), a charter member of Boys & Girls Clubs of
America strives to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach
their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, BGCC provides
services through 15 locations. Clubs are filled every day with an average daily
attendance of 2,300 children at any given time. For more information, please visit
www.bgcc.org or call 312-235-8000.