<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3lv0Pp_1GxxWExY00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3lv0Pp_1GxxWExY00" width="1920" height="1080" ></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Xcz3R_1GxxWExY00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Xcz3R_1GxxWExY00" width="730" height="409" ></figure>CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — The Champaign City Council has approved more than $1 million in funding for seven organizations working to prevent gun violence, as city leaders raise concerns about more teenagers becoming involved in gun-related crimes.The funding is about $178,000 less than last year, but city officials say the programs remain an important part of Champaign's ongoing efforts to reduce violence.The city's Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint has been in place for nearly five years, providing resources to organizations focused on prevention, intervention and helping people get their lives back on track.First Followers is one of the organizations receiving funding. The group helps people returning from prison find housing, employment and career training."We've seen people get housing, employment. So those things that we are really targeting, we've seen some outcomes with that," said Marlon Mitchell, executive director of First Followers.City data shows gun violence has declined significantly since 2021, when 77 people were shot in Champaign. That number dropped to 21 in 2025. So far in 2026, 30 people have been shot, a 61% decrease compared to 2021.Gun-related homicides have also declined, from 16 in 2021 to five so far this year.Despite those reductions, city leaders say they are seeing more teenagers become involved in gun violence, prompting discussions about reaching younger people before they become involved in crime."And so we know there has to be some intentional transition to look at youth and out of school youth to address our gun crimes," said Tracy Parason with the city of Champaign.Mitchell said First Followers is also considering ways to expand its outreach to younger teenagers."One of the things that we've been talking about is getting younger or reaching the 15, 16 year olds," Mitchell said.The city previously relied on federal COVID-19 relief funding to support the blueprint but is now using its own money to continue the programs.While officials acknowledge it is difficult to measure how much violence has been prevented, they believe investing in intervention programs is necessary."We can't prove what we stopped and what we've interrupted but we know that by doing nothing and by continuing to just allow the gun violence to grow, that that's not the approach that we want to take," Parason said.Another challenge is making sure residents know these resources exist.Mitchell said First Followers surveyed 250 people over the summer and found that 60% were unaware of the city's Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint.Organizations say increasing awareness and connecting more residents with available services will be priorities moving forward.With funding now approved, the seven organizations will continue receiving city support through June 2027.</div></body>

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — The Champaign City Council has approved more than $1 million in funding for seven organizations working to prevent gun violence, as city leaders raise concerns about more teenagers becoming involved in gun-related crimes. The funding is about $178,000 less than last year, but city officials...

Champaign invests $1M in violence prevention

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — The Champaign City Council has approved more than $1 million in funding for seven organizations working to prevent gun violen

Champaign invests $1M in violence prevention

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