Chicago’s Peace Pledge

Today I will use my power to build a safe community knowing that together our collective power will create a more peaceful Chicago.

Today I will act with respect in my city for myself and others, by giving up threats, violence, and guns.

Today, I will make peace by resolving personal conflicts and healing broken relationships.

Today I will act to build a stronger sense of community by protecting our kids from violence and teaching them how to become better citizens of this city.

Today I pledge to become the peaceful change that I want to see in Chicago.

The  Campaign

The Department of Children and Youth Services' (CYS) most public anti-violence campaign, Faces Against Violence has recruited thousands of Chicagoans to make a stand for peace. As a central part of the campaign, CYS and partners from ClearChannel Communications and The Peace Museum have established a consistent presence at city and community events, photographing those who take the city’s nonviolence pledge. Soon billboards with these citizens’ portraits will be going up around Chicago. Thanks to a strong summer push, Faces Against Violence has set the bar high for future CYS awareness campaigns.

Hard work on the part of many people involved with Faces has led to some remarkable feats. More than sixty events have seen literally thousands of Chicagoans pledge to stand against violence in their city. Even more importantly, these events have spanned every single ward of the City, marking Faces Against Violence as an effort that has been spread to every corner of Chicago.

Energized by this success, CYS and its partners are currently developing crucial next steps in Chicago’s antiviolence effort, working so that Chicagoans can know greater peace in their city.

To inquire about featuring Faces Against Violence at a community event, please contact the Department of Children and Youth Services at (312) 743-1665.