For 20 years, workers for the Roseland Ceasefire Project have walked the streets of Roseland, Pullman and West Pullman interrupting violence, providing jobs and offering social services to residents proactively in response to gun violence. Over the last two summers, however, the organization is having to do more with less as a result of President Donald Trump’s cuts for gun violence prevention programs.
Last year, the South Side organization held its first weekend fundraiser during National Gun Violence Awareness Month to bring residents of all ages together and attention to the services it provides.
Starting Saturday, June 13, 2026, an Anti-Violence Basketball Tournament will take place from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Pullman Community Center, 10355 S. Woodlawn Avenue. The next day, a gospel showcase will highlight national and local performers at St. Mark M.B. Church, 14618 Lincoln Avenue, Harvey, Ill.
The teams confirmed are: Thornridge High School, Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Corliss High School, Thornton Fractional North High School and other teams representing grade school, youth and adult divisions. The gospel performers are: Six-time Stellar Award-winning and Grammy nominated artist VaShawn Mitchell; Arthur Sutton & the Gift of Praise; Pastor DeRail Smith & the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir; and the Bethlehem Temple Baptist Church Choir.
Roseland Ceasefire was founded in 2006 as part of the organization started by Dr. Gary Slutkin at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Ceasefire model is to treat gun violence as a health epidemic. Over the years the theory of treating gun violence as a major public health crisis has gained increasing acceptance in the United States.
After training under Dr. Slutkin, Roseland Ceasefire’s founder and CEO, Bob Jackson, was assigned to the Chicago Southland, based on funding support from the Illinois General Assembly. As a result, the organization’s outreach has grown to include Harvey, Markham, Ford Heights, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Riverdale and Park Forest.
“Homicides have decreased significantly over the last two years and we don’t want to go backward, because of a lack of funding,” says Roseland Ceasefire CEO Bob Jackson. “We saw multi-generations come together at our first fundraiser last year and we’re hoping for the same response this year.”
Roseland Ceasefire employes outreach workers and has programs to help young offenders with anger management, housing and work readiness training.
For ticket information, call 708-577-4533 or email info@roselandceasefire.com.
