Daley Says Mentorship, Parents Can Stem Youth Violence

By Anthonia Akitunde in News on Oct 11, 2009 8:45PM

As Harold Washington Library displayed its new teen media center, Mayor Richard M. Daley focused on ways to stem the rash of youth violence the city has experienced in recent weeks, Chicago Breaking News reports. The library's new YOUmedia lets teenagers edit music and video projects on computers. A program like this teaches marketable skills and provides a "safe place" and an alternative to hanging out on the streets, Daley said.

Libraries will be part of the city's solution to dealing with violence as they provide a space for mentorship as well, Daley said. The last budget shows this investment: library fines were raised to 20 cents from 10 cents per day. Daley acknowledged religious organizations who have worked with police to try and solve 11 murders, the report said. He also looked toward parents to help out as well. "Dealing with violence -- and all of us have to discuss this -- and I've said this time and time again, when a child sees violence in the home, if there's drug usage and alcohol usage, if there's domestic violence, if there's guns, if there's constantly violence in the home, that directly affects that child," Daley said. [Chicago Breaking News]