One of the most recent programs of The Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Violence Prevention Program assisting at-risk youth is a partnership with the Barracks Boxing Club, to provide training in boxing to at-risk youth in Chicago’s west and northwest side neighborhoods. The PRCC works closely with at-risk youth, providing wrap-around case management services, including housing and rental assistance, civil legal aid, employment programming, school engagement, and youth mentorship and this boxing program is one of the most popular youth programs.
The Barracks Boxing Club was founded by David Ortiz and Antonio Beniquez, long-time friends,
business partners, and native sons of the same Chicago neighborhoods they aim to serve. In partnership with the PRCC, the Barracks Boxing Club has opened its doors to PRCC’s Violence Prevention program participants. Some of the early success with youth in the community by the gym and the PRCC has been documented by the Chicago Sun-Times. Currently, were in the process of expanding programming to bring boxing training and case management services to CPS schools, as well as Cook County juvenile justice agencies.
The program with The Barracks Boxing Club has been so successful that community youth are asking to expand the program’s reach, which is why the Violence Prevention Program is asking for support to raise $30,000 to cover the cost of a passenger van, registration, monthly insurance, gas, and maintenance. With this van, we can structure the schedule of our partnership with the Barracks Boxing Club, increasing our reach to community youth. If you are interested in supporting this effort or would like to share this information you can find more information here: https://gofund.me/641d4cc7
