Our PBMR
Community
PBMR is committed to accompanying families in the Back of the Yards/New City and Englewood Neighborhoods who are impacted by violence, incarceration, poverty, racism, and generational trauma.
Our reach extends around the needs of the whole family—embracing the following communities with radical hospitality, hope, and healing
- YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
- MOTHERS & FAMILIES
- RETURNING CITIZENS
We strive to create safe spaces for these communities, welcoming each individual as they are, and working to meet their particular needs within the context of community.
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Creating safe spaces for youth to grow and learn together.
Youth Mentorship
PBMR's Youth Mentorship Team creates safe spaces for youth ages 14-24 to grow, learn, and play together apart from the violence, poverty, and trauma of the neighborhood. We offer opportunities to learn healthy life skills and broaden horizons through focus groups, retreats, networking conferences, local outings, work opportunities, art projects, goal-setting, and more!
PBMR's Youth Ambassadors
Leadership Development Program
Launched with support from the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions, PBMR's Opportunity Youth Leadership Development Program hosts our Youth Ambassadors. Through restorative justice training, trauma-informed leadership development, public speaking, and civic engagement, our cohort works together to build community bonds, strengthens protective relationships, and elevate youth voice in conversations on community safety, incarceration, and policy.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Supporting young adults as they take steps forward
Many young adults in our community (ages 18-26) face a mountain of obstacles as they navigate the complexities of street violence, incarceration, family conflict, and more. Our Case Managers are committed to accompanying our young adults as they work toward achieving their goals. Case Managers are committed to relentlessly engaging with their participants, whether it looks like visiting them in prison, going into their homes, or accompany thing them to court. Together, participants and case managers identify needs and find ways of acquiring resources that can help heal and allow them to move forward.
Case Managers can assist you with:
- Career/Employment Support
- Financial assistance
- Educational Goals
- Relational Support in Situations of Conflict
- On-the job training programs
- Housing Support
- Legal Assistance
- Supportive Community
MOTHERS & FAMILIES
Accompanying women and families as they strive to move forward
We're women healing from Trauma
and Moving Forward Together
Behind every life taken by violence or incarceration, kneels a grieving mother.
We are a community of women dedicated to healing from the traumas of violence and incarceration in our community. By coming together in circle, we create a safe space to share stories of our loved ones, laugh and cry, and journey together toward healing. This is not a path that should be walked alone, so we find strength being in relationship with one another.
SANKOFA HOME
Transitional Housing for Women
A majority of our families struggle to find affordable and dignified housing within the Chicago community. With astronomical rent and long waiting lists for section-8 and housing programs, the Family Forward team decided it was time to invest in PBMR transitional housing for women. Sankofa Home provides dignified living spaces for women ages 24+ for 6 months to 1 year. Each resident is paired with a Case Manager who will assist with goal setting and getting connected to PBMR's wrap-around services. Our women need safe spaces to rest their head, grow, and move forward!
INCARCERATED &
RETURNING CITIZENS
Accompanying Men and Women through Incarceration & beyond
Detention & Prison Ministry
Accompanying Juveniles and Adults through Incarceration
We accompany our participants as they navigate the criminal justice system, and offer community through the painful journey of incarceration. Our Detention Ministry seeks to accompany incarcerated persons through regular visits, phone calls, letters, and continual spiritual care. Our staff facilitates circle and groups within juvenile and adult prisons, and strives to bring restorative spaces into historically punitive settings.
RE-ENTRY
CASE MANAGEMENT
Coming home from prison is a joyful celebration of liberation, but it also comes with a number of challenges. From navigating parole requirements, to finding stable employment, our reentry case managers are committed to walking with you each step of the way to ensure the smoothest transition possible. We are here to assist with basic needs of food, transportation, housing, employment, expungement, and supportive community. This is not a road to be walked alone, so we are here to do it with you!
HOSPITALITY HOUSE
Transitional Housing for Men Retuning Home from Prison
After spending decades in prison, we hope to offer returning citizens space they can call home—a place where they are free to come and go and feel at ease. Our hospitality house provides transitional housing to men coming home after 20+ years incarcerated. Each resident is connected with a case manager who can assist with meeting basic needs, as well as goal setting for the long-term. Men live in community with fellow returning citizens and grow in relationship with the broader PBMR community of support.
