May 10, 2008 4:56 pm US/Central
Art Project Hopes To Curb The Violence Among Youth
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The Chicago Public Art Group joined Little Village/Lawndale High School to create the Safe Passage Project. Supporters hope those who would commit violence will reflect on the pain they could leave behind.
CBS
In Little Village, students are fighting violence with spray paint. It's called the "Safe Passage" project. The program organizers hope to create a path where students can feel safe going to school, as CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports.
It's a message that crosses the boundaries of color – the one of peace.
About 60 students from Little Village/Lawndale High School picked up spray cans to lay images of life and promise on the sidewalk – a safe passage.
"So as the kids come in through the neighborhood into our campus, they can actually see that this is a safe place," said art teacher Madilyn Soch. "That this is a place where they can be loved; they can be accepted."
"It will symbolize whatever you want it to be, but for me definitely freedom," said school social worker Michelle Lloyd.
The school is made up of Latino students, primarily from the Little Village neighborhood and African-American students from the North Lawndale area. They tell us racial tension and gang violence can even make walking to and from school a dangerous mission - if you're in the wrong neighborhood.
"It is about creating a greater sense of community between the two communities," said art teacher Tracy Van Duinen.
"It's been such a hard year. I've had students come into my classroom crying because their best friend was shot," Soch said.
As they paint, they remember losing 16-year-old Miguel Gomez killed on South Kildare in October.
The Safe Passage Project brings students from all four schools on campus, to the same team.
"We all had to come together from different schools and like, collaborate," said student Jesse Martinez.
Supporters hope students will feel more calm as they pass the stenciled shapes they created, and that those who would commit violence will reflect on the pain they could leave behind.
"If the community doesn't care, then why should the people, that's coming into the community, care?" asked student Robert Welch.
The Chicago Public Art Group joined the school to create the Safe Passage Project. They hope to extend the Passage all the way to North Lawndale. And CBS 2 was told they'll be asking the City Council for approval and financial support.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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