Three Case Illustrations (Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.)

Abstract

It is hoped the cases that are the focus of this chapter will inspire hope, with the passion they bring being contagious beyond their geographical confines. These illustrations, based in Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., are not representative or generalizable across the country; they highlight key findings specific to the sites. Although themes are highlighted, combined with the scholarly literature presented in the next chapter implications for practice and disciplines interested in urban gun violence are presented. They represent different budgets, missions, developmental histories, staffing, and futures. Self-help organizations are best appreciated within a historical context. Healing and caregiving are topics rarely associated with communities of color, and nothing could be further from the truth. Even in the most dangerous communities, there are people who are fearless and have taken the challenge of helping, and sometimes risking and losing their lives in the process, and there are institutions that have also assumed this role.