On July 10, Chicago celebrated a significant milestone with the official naming of its first city-designated safe zone at Alt Space Chicago. This landmark event honors the Austin Safety Action Plan (ASAP) safe zone initiative, a youth-led initiative initiated by the Root2Fruit Youth Foundation.
The ASAP initiative aims to empower young people by creating a model for community safety through designated safe zones, encouraging activities such as cleanup efforts, tree planting, and community relationship building, all as part of the overarching strategy to ‘Protect Our Hood.’
The naming event drew a remarkable crowd, with over 75 attendees quickly filling Alt Space Chicago. Organizers found it necessary to bring in extra chairs to accommodate the overflow of participants, showcasing the community’s strong interest and support.
Alderman Chris Taliaferro introduced a resolution that was adopted by the Chicago City Council to honor Aisha T. Oliver, the founder of the ASAP Safe Zone and the Root2Fruit Youth Foundation. He also recognized several members of the ASAP Safe Zone for their dedicated mentorship of youth in the 29th Ward.
During the event, Alderman Taliaferro expressed his congratulations on the significant occasion. He stated, ‘We wish to extend our congratulations as we take this opportunity to celebrate the naming of the ASAP Safe Zone in the 29th ward.’
Jordan Campbell, co-founder and director of Alt Space Chicago, emphasized the importance of learning from diverse voices and engaging with the community purposefully. He remarked, ‘It’s not only available, but it’s accessible.’ He underscored that Root2Fruit is providing a necessary safe space for community members.
Aisha T. Oliver shared her deeply rooted commitment to the community, particularly emphasizing the youth on Chicago’s West Side. Reflecting on the origins of the Root2Fruit Youth Foundation and the ASAP initiative, she recalled that they emerged from personal experiences, mentorship, and a desire to respond to a tragic event involving the death of a three-year-old.
‘And I decided that day: enough is enough. Prayer is one thing, but you can’t just pray — you have to act,’ Oliver proclaimed. She stressed the importance of proactive measures rather than reactive responses, signifying a shift towards actionable community support.
Oliver conveyed that the project transcended the mere establishment of a program; it was about fostering a nurturing environment for young people, providing a space where they feel safe, loved, and supported. Over time, this support developed into profound connections, shared meals, celebrations, and extended mentorship, demonstrating a commitment to authentic community engagement.
‘You have to truly feel the community. Community is something you have to actively engage in,’ she articulated. Additionally, Oliver shared her approach to advocacy, stating, ‘If I don’t like something, I speak up—I don’t wait.’
Davonte Dudley, a participant in the initiative, expressed his reflections on the momentous occasion of being recognized for their hard work. He described it as a surreal experience to finally receive acknowledgment for their efforts. ‘So for us to have been putting in the work for this long and finally get recognized — and for people to shine a light on us and say we’ve been doing this kind of work — I’m really appreciative of it,’ Dudley stated, highlighting the significance of this moment for the community.
The event not only marked the official designation of the safe zone but also served as a catalyst for ongoing community engagement and empowerment initiatives. The commitment of the Root2Fruit Youth Foundation continues to inspire youth and foster resilience and safety in Chicago’s neighborhoods.
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