Light in the Night is built on a simple idea: when people consistently show up in public spaces during the hours when violence is most likely, it changes what those spaces feel like and how they are used.
Over the past several years, our Light in the Night team has been putting this idea into practice across the Near West side, including Union Park and Starr Park. Each event follows a similar rhythm: teams spread the word, set up, and create a space where people can gather. Kids play, neighbors share a meal and connect, and the focus remains on simply being together in a peaceful way.
That consistency has built trust over time. Early on, some residents were hesitant, having seen other efforts come and go. But month after month, the Light in the Night team returned. Relationships formed, and participation grew. In some areas, spaces that were once avoided are now used regularly by families again.
This is our park again.
One example came from a local park where residents began saying, “This is our park again.” That sense of ownership reflects what Light in the Night is working toward: communities reclaiming spaces that had been shaped by violence.
This season closed with the Henry Horner picnic last Monday, a gathering that reflected the strong sense of shared identity within that community. Despite different affiliations, there has long been a broader connection tied to the Henry Horner area itself. The picnic brings people together across those lines in a way that feels natural and expected.
Light in the Night’s impact comes from consistency; showing up, building relationships, and creating space for community to be present. Over time, that steady approach continues to make a visible difference.