In Chicago Communities
The Need is Great
The statistics surrounding gun violence, murder and incarceration rates in Chicago are staggering. Roughly 11 people are shot EVERY DAY in Chicago1, and of those, on average, 2 die EVERY DAY2. In addition, nearly 56% of all incarcerated individuals in Chicago are black, while statistically making up 15% of the Chicago population3. But the news reports and calculated statistics don't tell the whole story.
Many of these individuals who are "gone" due to debilitating injury, murder or incarceration, leave behind children and families. If these individuals provided or contributed emotional or financial support to those around them, their loss can turn into crisis and further trauma for those left behind. These are the under-served and under-represented which we, Keifer Sykes' Free 10 Foundation, endeavor to seek out and provide with meaningful support and solutions.
Chicago Statistics
A person is shot every 2 hours, 6 minutes
A person is murdered every 11 hours, 6 minutes
56% of incarcerated individuals are black
Incarcerated individuals leave behind over 4,000 affected children
CHICAGO COMMUNITY ISSUES
VULNERABLE TO VIOLENCE
Any part of a large city can make a person vulnerable to violence and crisis, but few more so than the south and west sides of Chicago. Home to over 250 gangs, multiple daily shootings, murders and other violence, it is hard to escape the crisis and tragedy that living in these neighborhoods brings. The statistics are staggering, and if a person does not live there, it might be easy to ignore the problems and issues facing those that do.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
In the city of Chicago, incarcerated individuals leave behind over 4,0004 affected children alone, and those that are injured or killed, another 700-1000. No matter the circumstances, when a person is “gone” due to injury, murder or incarceration, there are children and family members left behind. Those that are gone may have provided fundamental emotional and financial support or stability. When that support person is gone, who will pick up the pieces or step up to help?
We make a difference
No one individual or organization can possibly solve the issues facing the children and families in crisis, or combat the results.
That is why Keifer Sykes’ Free 10 Foundation, as an organization, has developed a narrow focus, a niche of sorts, based on the knowledge and experiences of our founder, Keifer Sykes. Keifer grew up living among these statistics, where he developed a deep sense of responsibility toward those children and families left in the aftermath of gun violence and incarceration.
We make a difference whether we help one child, one family, or one hundred children and families.
How We Help
Programs & Assistance
EVENTS, CELEBRATIONS & DONATION DRIVES
We offer year-round donation events at key times like back to school, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. These activities and events provide enrichment and fun for the children and families, as well as providing necessary items like school supplies, winter clothing needs and food.
BASKETBALL SKILLS CAMPS & MENTORING PROGRAMS
Our mentoring programs and basketball skills camps are designed to provide a safe and caring outlet for those children suffering from the loss of a support person. Reputable and qualified coaches and adults lead the children and teens through sport skills development as well as providing mentoring, nutritional, social and educational guidance. We strive to unlock the greatness within each child so that they may have a better future.
FINANCIAL & EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
In order to get the best education possible, it is important that the children and teens in our communities have options for the school they attend, but this is not always financially possible for the families. It is our hope for the future that we will develop a scholarship program to help those facing hardships to still be able to receive a quality education.
