Safe Summer

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My City, Your City, Our City

In an effort to reduce youth violence, the City of Evanston is proud to present "My City, Your City, Our City" initiative. The City of Evanston has partnered with local non-profit organizations and local youth to build enrichment activities this summer specifically tailored for middle school and high school youth! Through this initiative, we have extended hours at community centers, community building events, and more! Click below to learn about each program.

Violence Prevention Week and Gun Violence Prevention Day

Violence Prevention Week in District 65 and District 202 Schools

Violence Prevention Week is the second to last week of school for D65. This year, Violence Prevention Week will take place from Monday, May 20 – Friday, May 24, 2024.

In collaboration with the City of Evanston’s Youth & Young Adult Division, District 65 has curated a set of lessons from the Sandy Hook Promise’ campaign called Start with Hello to address a foundational issue related to school violence, loneliness and social isolation. Lessons focus on helping adolescents to identify the experience of social isolation within themselves and others. The program also provides students with strategies to reach out and help classmates that can have a profound impact on school culture.

Gun Violence Prevention Day

Gun Violence Prevention Day is set to be the first Friday in June. This year, Gun Violence Prevention Day is on June 7, 2024.

All local school and community partners are encouraged to participate in Violence Prevention Week and Day activities and to commit to preventing violence throughout the community. As a visible sign of this commitment, community members are invited to wear orange on Friday, June 7 and join in for the kick-off of the City’s My City, Your City, Our City Safe Summer Initiative at Mason Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

VPD English 1

My Center, Your Center, Our Center

Free nightly activities will be provided in a safe, judgement-free zone by Evanston Collective as well as other area organizations and partners. These activities will be a balance of both fun and enrichment.

2023–2024 School Year Hours:

High School Youth:
Monday-Friday 4:30-8:30PM at Gibbs Morrison (1823 Church St.)
& Friday 6:00-9:00PM at Robert Crown (1801 Main St.).

Middle School Youth:
Monday-Thursday 3:30-7:30PM at Robert Crown (1801 Main St.) & Friday 3:30-9:00PM
& Friday 3:30-9:00PM at Robert Crown.*

*Middle school drop-in centers at Crown will be closed the week of June 3, 2024.

2024 Summer Hours (Beginning June 10, 2024):

High School Youth:
Monday-Friday 6-9PM at Gibbs Morrison (1823 Church St.)*

Middle School Youth:
Monday & Wednesday: 6-9PM at Robert Crown (1801 Main St.)*

*Centers will be closed on June 7, June 19, July 4, and August 2.

First Fridays Community Building

Back to School, Back to Future!

Block Parties

Street Talk Series

Fall Fest

Partnership and Employment Interest Form

The My City, Your City, Our City Initiative is looking for individuals and/or organizations to help staff events or provide activities for our youth! We ask if you could fill out the form below to express your interest and availability this summer. Our three main areas that are in need of support are youth drop-in centers, First Fridays, and BLOCK parties.

To express your interest, please fill out this form, or go to bit.ly/MyCity23.

We thank the "Evanston Collective" and other organizations for participating in this year's My City, Your City, Our City initiative to make 2024 a safe summer!

Evanston Collective Logo Board _ HowlettDeanna

Members of the Evanston Collective