Helping Youth At-Risk for Violent Crime “Choose to Change”

2020 was an unusually violent year in America. According to official FBI statistics, murders jumped 30% over the previous year, and the problem wasn’t just concentrated in big cities like New York and LA. It was widespread. A partnership of nonprofits in Chicago has pioneered a program to stop the cycle of violence in neighborhoods where young people are particularly at-risk. It’s called “Choose to Change.” The group includes Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. and Children's Home & Aid, evaluated by the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab. A randomized controlled trial of the program found youth who participate are far less likely to be arrested for a violent crime. Christopher Sutton, director of Choose to Change, discusses. (Segment produced by Lynsey Mella)