Feds award nearly $4M to anti-violence organization led by Arne Duncan

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The anti-violence organization Chicago CRED has received a nearly $4 million grant from the U.S. Justice Department — and the organization’s founder says other nonprofits will benefit.

The founder of the organization, Arne Duncan, was formerly the U.S. Education Secretary and leader of the Chicago Public Schools. He said this is a first.

“We've never received any public money before, and we want to be the best stewards possible for that and really help the next generation of nonprofits,” Duncan said.

One organization that CRED is helping is called the House of Hope Foundation, which was started by Shawn Childs.

“I grew up in Cabrini Green when y'all called it the worst projects in the world,” Childs told reporters on Tuesday. “I went to prison for a few stays, I've been shot four times.”

He said his son’s birth changed everything. Now, he's helping young people through mentoring, helping with basic needs, taking them on trips, and getting them to see the positives in life instead of the negatives.

“The majority of these kids that I work with, I can tell you that they know what they want to be when they grow up now,” he said.

Childs said he doesn't have degrees, but he has the knowledge and wisdom to save lives — and that's his goal.

Said Duncan: “He may not have all the fancy degrees, but he's got a PhD. in helping to change kids' lives, and there's very few people who have that.”

CRED is starting its eighth year working to prevent violence. Duncan said the grant will allow it to take things to the next level.

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