Roseland Ceasefire Waits Four Months for Funds, May Have to Shut Down

Nov. 25, 2008 - Bob Jackson has kept CeaseFire's Roseland office open since August of 2007, when he and his staff of 15 outreach workers were laid off after Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed $6.5 million in state funds for the violence prevention program.

He's paid rent and utilities, mainly out of his pocket, running a one-person office on West 111th Street, with assistance from some former CeaseFire workers and community members who volunteer when they can. But it's a far cry from working with a full staff -- and he's watched with frustration as violence rates go back up.

Now he says the office is too far in debt, the landlord has given his final extension and they're going to have to close down.

Read more...