Our Process
In Chicago’s devastated communities, historically plagued with violence and incarceration, third-generation families remain. Regardless of the knowledge of the family experiences of the part, the current circumstances, conditions, nor the predictable futures, families continue the cycles.
An Applied Science of Systemic Oppression…
UPOW (Urban Prisoners of War) are Chicago’s most at risk young men, they were born into a war they did not start, they simply took their positions, like anyone born in a warzone would. Our battle tested young men are in desperate need of rescue, refinement, and opportunity.
"I am an Urban Prisoner of War... Soon to be Free!"
Chicago’s impoverished communities, historically plagued with violence and incarceration, are occupied by families that have occupied the region for generations. Regardless of the knowledge of the family experiences of the part, and the predictable future, residents have remained.
An applied science of systemic oppression in South and West Chicago, has held community residents in geographical place for decades. Generationally untreated traumas represent the compounded shackles that make this form of urban imprisonment possible.
UPOW are Chicago’s most at risk young men. They were born into a war they did not start. They simply took their place, like anyone born in a war one would. These battle tested young men are in a desperate need of rescue and an intentional process of refinement.
Treating Complex Trauma, Training in Disciplines, Training in Vocational Skills = Healing & Skilling
- Pioneer Passenger
- Passages
- Mama Passages
- Trauma Therapy
- Egyptian Yoga
- Restorative Justice Circles
"I am a committed passenger returning to my true self."
Pioneer Passenger
"As Pride ROC is growing I started seeing familiar faces so now I'm starting to feel more comfortable showing up. I started taking UPOW seriously, and I can honestly say that I don't regret it. The first passage we went to the woods somewhere but it was fun/exciting just to get out the hood with some of the people you grew up with. Meditation is great and yoga is also great. I really had no knowledge about either of them with UPOW and I actually enjoy doing it. I look at it as where I see myself just focusing on myself but not just myself, also the people around me. Meditation and yoga is just a piece of mind letting your body just relax." - Pride Roc Passenger
Passages
What’s next for Pride ROC? Currently, they are empowering their most dedicated Passengers to transition into their new-found roles as leaders within the organization. Pride ROC believes this next phase will lead to long-lasting and positive change in the areas of Chicago that need it most. They’re creating a Peace Renaissance.
Mama Passages
As they continue to recruit new Passengers, they also just finished their first “Mama Passages.” These passages create opportunities for women (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters) raising UPOWs—who are often the strongest influence in these young men’s lives—to have a parallel experience, and creates a platform for dialogue and mutual growth.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma Therapy - Psychological Self Sufficiency is the foundation for Economic Self Sufficiency. We found in our five year study that simply giving the At - Risk Community jobs and suddenly expecting them to be “better” (Improved quality of life/Pro Social Behaviors) is a loss venture. It would be the equivalent of suddenly expecting a shot victim to run because we removed the bullet from his wounded foot.
Egyptian Yoga
We implement an intense therapeutic process grounded in three Stages of Treating of Complex Trauma Guided by Mary Jo Barrett and Instructor Ra Frye. The three therapeutic stages are integrated into all refinement Stages, Yoga, and other disciplines represent opportunities to practically engage in healing through repetition in purposeful movement. The Ancient Yoga practice is called The Ankh Set, today in North America, the Mystic of its postures and its Oral tradition are maintained by a hand full Men and Women initiated in its Rights, Instructor Ra stands amongst them. He has shared demonstrations and introductions in the Ankh set discipline for twenty-five years throughout the US and in Europe. The mystical properties of the ancient practice continue to unfold in its practitioner.
Stick Talk Circles
Restorative Justice or Stick Talk Circles provide a safe space to check in, be heard, and engage in comprehensive conversations around their real life circumstances, conditions, and discuss solutions. The Stick Talk circles are a portal into the Passage Refinement Process.
These consistencies have been transformative in helping previously guarded, seemingly hopeless individuals become more open to creative solutions to common problems and are overall more approachable.
Treating complex trauma creates new neural pathways that prepare participants to truly receive future opportunities such as a job or further education.
“An opportunity is not an opportunity if you are not prepared to receive it”.
OUR RESULTS
Pride ROC Passages are developed around three phases of trauma informed care. Passengers well into the Second Phase of treating complex trauma (challenging old behaviors, and creating new Neural Pathways) are integrating new behaviors in everyday life:
- No longer desire to hang on the block
- No longer sell drugs
- No longer are at threat of being justice involved (beyond unavoidable traffic stops)
- No longer carry a gun, and currently feel no need to carry a gun
- Increase the number of Young Fathers living in the home with their children
- Have pride in their abilities to maintain employment and provide for their families
- Become organic Peer Mentors
- Passengers who attend weekly therapy Yoga/floor disciplines do better, faster!
ACTIVATE NOW
5 POINT ENGLEWOOD RESCUE PLAN
Launching February 2024!
- Englewood, Chicago, IL