History
In November, 1997, the Alliance For Community Peace (ACP) was organized to address a community crisis in the near north area of Chicago, IL, in the Cabrini-Green housing development. Precipitated by an autumn 1997 outbreak of gang violence and gunfire, ACP stepped in to forestall Chicago Public School's (CPS) desire to relocate Jenner elementary school to a safer yet inconvenient location ACP spearheaded an initiative to organize and promote cooperation and collaboration amongst local economically disadvantaged residents, neighborhood businesses, and social agencies.
Born out of this collaboration between ACP and CPS was a "Safe Schools, Safe Neighborhood" initiative, "The Walking School Bus Program", the Jenner Family Resource Center, and an After School Program at Wayman AME Church
Initially, CPS offered ACP funding for a one-year pilot program to help turn around this troubled community. But as a result of its many successes, not only did ACP receive multi-year funding from CPS but from other social agencies as well. Furthermore, due to ACP efforts Jenner school remained in the community and in April 2000, a new state-of-the-art building was built for students and families of Jenner school to bring new hope, new life, and a new dream to this distressed community.
ACP serves three elementary schools: Jenner, Manierre, and Schiller; and several high schools, including: Lincoln Park, Orr, Wells, Walter Payton, Roberto Clemente, and other area alternative high schools.