Who We Are
I&F is a Community Violence Intervention (CVI) organization dedicated to reducing gun violence among Chicago’s inner city and South Suburbs. We operate on the front lines, building trusted relationships and responding to conflicts in real time. Our team of trained violence interrupters and outreach professionals serve as credible messengers—intervening in high-risk situations and mediating conflicts before they escalate into gunfire.
At I&F, we combine street outreach, conflict mediation, and wraparound support services to address the root causes of violence and promote long-term safety and healing in our communities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reduce shootings and homicides to the national average. Nationally, approximately 5 out of every 100,000 people are killed due to gun violence. In the communities I&F serves, the rate is 35 per 100,000—seven times higher than the national average.
Our Focus
To educate communities on alternative conflict resolution strategies in order to combat the epidemic of gun violence in our communities.
We serve as an intermediary in street conflicts and flare-ups that carry a high risk of ending in death or incarceration due to the use of a gun.
Working with Integrity
integrity: noun
in·teg·ri·ty
Integrity is the quality of being honest, having strong moral principles, and acting in alignment with your values, even when no one is watching.
"As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility."
Nelson Mandela
CVI Saves Lives!
I&F - Saving Lives. Serving with Integrity!