Spring 2026 Civic Trek: Community Development, Violence Interruption, and the Future of West Garfield Park

The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice invites student participants to West Garfield Park for an in-depth look at community-led approaches to violence interruption and neighborhood revitalization. Building on a previous visit, this student experience offers a deeper examination of the MAAFA Redemption Project, a faith-based residential program that supports young men ages 18 to 30 who are vulnerable to gun violence and economic instability.

Through an integrated model that includes housing, workforce development, mental health services, reentry support, and civic engagement, MAAFA advances a comprehensive strategy for individual and community transformation. Marshall Hatch Jr., Co-Founder and Executive Director, and a Crown Family School alumnus, will lead a discussion on the program’s design, impact, and long-term vision for the neighborhood. Students will also hear directly from program residents about their experiences.

The visit includes a first look at the MAAFA Center for Arts and Activism (The MAC), an $8 million redevelopment of the former St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. The MAC serves as a hub for intergenerational arts programming, grassroots organizing, and civic education—demonstrating how community-driven investment can reshape neighborhood infrastructure and opportunity.