Students Get a Shot at Freedom from Gun Violence

Getting to school on time can be a chore. But for thousands of students in Chicago, it's a death-defying task. The New York Times reports that 258 public school students were shot in the city last year on their way to or from school, and 32 of those were killed.

And that was before this week's Second Amendment Supreme Court ruling that threatens Chicago's stringent handgun ban.

But a ground-breaking project that matches at-risk students with advocates is bringing change to the air in the Windy City. The largest intervention program ever attempted to stem the tide of violence against, and between, urban students, the initiative paired each of 250 high-risk students with a professional advocate.  Available 24/7, these advocates are tasked with keeping their students safe, in school, and on track to graduation, whether that means driving them home from school, sitting by them in the hospital, or finding places to live for those that are homeless.

The program addresses a sad reality for many young people: that support structures such as family and friends may be hurting, not helping, students ... or they may be absent from their lives altogether. Gang activity, homelessness, drug abuse and school failure are often problems that high-risk students face alone. And having an advocate's support can make all the difference.

The Times notes that about half the teens involved were not in school when they began the program. Now all are attending classes. There were no deaths among students with advocates this year, although three were shot during the school year. Overall, it represents the successful beginning to a possible solution to the problem of gun violence against and amongst young people.

The results of Chicago's experimental program are so heartening that it will be expanded next year to reach 1,500 students, and the program is being watched closely by other cities seeking to implement successful intervention strategies. For now, let's hope that kids are getting to school a little bit safer every day.

Photo credit: peteSwede