CU Fresh Start held its sixth “Call-In” Thursday, attempting to set a new path for young men in trouble for gun-related offenses in Champaign-Urbana. At the same time, local officials say they’re looking at ways to expand the program’s reach.
CU Fresh Start offers people with a history of gun-related crimes a second chance at life. The anti-gun violence initiative hosted its fourth “call-in” event Thursday night at the Illinois Terminal in Champaign.
Conversations around gun violence often revolve around long-term solutions, like improving schools or the local economy. But even if those things were easy — and they’re not — it would take a generation to realize the benefits.
Nine young men with records of weapons-related offenses were presented with a chance for a fresh start in life, at the third C-U Fresh Start “Call-In” held Thursday night in Champaign.
Gun violence and how to stop it was the focus of a town hall meeting held Wednesday in response to the shooting outside Champaign Central High School in early December.
