N3 2021 Symposium: Advancing the Science and Practice of Street Outreach

As the country wrestles with a rise in gun violence and urgent calls to rely less on harsh criminal justice strategies to reduce crime, street outreach is becoming an increasingly central violence prevention strategy. In Chicago, as in other parts of the country, there are ongoing–and in many cases, longstanding–efforts to incorporate street outreach into larger public safety efforts. This work is particularly important given current debates around the role of and relationship between the police and community organizations in reimagining public safety.

This symposium highlights emerging research on outreach and features the work of local experts building the infrastructure to strengthen the field of street outreach. Panelists will share their perspectives and experiences on the assets, challenges, and opportunities for growth of this approach and discuss what additional services, supports, and policies are needed– beyond the work of outreach–to sustainably reduce gun violence and enhance community-led efforts to foster safe neighborhoods and communities.

Opening Remarks

Chris Patterson, Assistant Secretary for Violence Prevention, Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, Illinois Department of Human Services

Featured Discussions and Presentations

• The Violence Intervention Workers Survey: An In-Depth View of Outreach Workers in Chicago
• Assessing Risk: Frontline Perspectives of Navigating the Dynamics of Gun Violence
• Building the Evidence Base: Emerging Lessons from Research on Outreach Efforts and Implications for Policy and Practice
• Where Do We Go From Here? The Future of Outreach in Illinois

Photo credit: Communities Partnering 4 Peace

All in-person attendees will be required to wear masks, no matter their vaccination status, and to acknowledge the requirements below. No eating is allowed in the venue as per current IPR guidelines and in accordance with University policies.

Northwestern is closely monitoring developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and will follow local, state, and University guidelines for this event. All attendees will be required to have been fully vaccinated or have received a negative COVID test within 48 hours of the event start, as well as comply with all other University safety protocols that are in place at the time of the event.

Participants unwilling or unable to abide by these requirements should not attend in person and should register for the webinar instead.

The complete agenda can be found here.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Kellogg Wieboldt Hall, 340 East Superior Street, Chicago, United States