Creator: Arriana Grimes
Community Partner: Alton Middle School
Cohort Theme: Spatial Justice in Alton, IL
Faculty Mentor: Jessica DeSpain
Project History
Our team researched the causes and impacts of violent crime in Alton, Illinois, particularly among youth. Youth violence in Alton, Illinois, is shaped by a combination of historical, economic, and social factors that make the issue unique to the city. While similar challenges exist in other places, Alton’s particular circumstances highlight how local conditions can influence youth behavior and violence. After exploring a number of factors driving youth violence, including economic downturn, spatial injustice that has isolated particular neighborhoods, and a lack of youth programs, we developed an after-school program that would respond to some of these challenges. Our goal was to give youth in Alton the opportunity and a safe place to voice any violence they may have experienced. Over the course of a semester, our team worked with twelve justice-impacted middle school students. Using digital storytelling along with a variety of media and skills including web design, podcasting, oral history collection, video production, and digital visualization, the middle school students created their own digital stories.
Finding Your Place
The presentation has the potential to inspire both the high school leaders and the youth to think critically about the role of community in their lives and to share these insights with their peers. By equipping them with practical tools and ideas, the presentation could spark initiatives within their groups to foster healthier, more inclusive communities. Over time, this ripple effect could strengthen connections, encouraging them to actively seek and build supportive environments around them.