New Community Outreach (NCO) is a community-based, non-profit organization that creates restorative spaces for healing, reconciliation, and flourishing for Bronzeville’s youth and community members. As a member of Team NCO, we "Race Against Gun Violence" because our youth and community face the reality and impact of gun violence regularly. As we raise awareness through this campaign, NCO works to mitigate the impact of trauma that is caused by sources like gun violence by intentionally partnering with schools, residents, and other community organizations to be responsive to the needs, which includes youth healing-centered programming, fresh produce distribution, and more.
My journey with NCO began as a way to get involved and root myself in community as I transitioned to my new home city of Chicago. My transition was an intentional one, that lead me to choose to live, shop, and invest in Chicago's south side and predominantly black communities. My work with NCO has led me to a wonderful opportunity to onboard as a Part-time Garden Assistant Manager in the garden to table program, which provides free produce to the Bronzeville community every Saturday morning during the summer. We have our first distribution on Saturday June 14th! Because of this role, i have the opportunity to more actively play my part in the flourishment of the community i have invested so much in.
My hope is that you are willing to join with your own investment as I participate in the Race Against Gun Violence in an effort to ensure NCO has the funds it needs to continue in its mission. Would you consider partnering with me and NCO?
Here is some more information about NCO!
Mission – New Community Outreach (NCO) creates restorative spaces for healing, reconciliation, and flourishing.
We are a community-based, non-profit organization committed to Bronzeville’s youth and community. We collaborate with residents and organizations on the South Side of Chicago to provide programs, host events, and respond to community-identified opportunities.
Vision – We envision a Bronzeville where youth and other community members meet trauma with restorative justice to renew the relationships (with ourselves, our neighbors, and our environments) that lead to our individual and collective flourishing.
NCO Main Programs & Events
Knowledge Empowers Youth (KEY) School Year – KEY is a restorative justice program for high school students to process their feelings, experiences, and circumstances of their present and in a designated, consistent safe space. We started an after-school session during the 23-24 School Year, which has been an important safe space for young people to come to our office after school hours (below). We currently have over 150 students participating across three Bronzeville schools.
KEY Summer Leadership Program – The KEY Summer Program is an invitation for young people to engage in restorative justice through continued reflection on their identity & feelings while developing leadership skills and learning about social [in]justice issues, Chicago the community, and being change agents.
Garden to Table Program – Provide free bags of fresh produce and non-perishable items to our [senior] neighbors throughout the summer/fall season. In 2023, we distributed 1521 bags of produce & non-perishable goods to our neighbors!
Back to School Fun Fair – A community-wide back-to-school fair to encourage and energize students and their families as they prepare for the next school year. In 2024, over 350 community members, students, and families attended the event.
