CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — DREAAM — which stands for Driven to Reach Excellence and Academic Achievement for Males — was founded in 2015 by Tracy D. Dace and is continuing to expand its violence prevention efforts in Champaign-Urbana through its Hope program, a community-based initiative focused on healing, outreach, prevention and education.

Launched in March 2025, the Hope program connects with individuals at high risk of gun violence, as well as victims and their families, through street outreach, case management and victim advocacy. What began with a small team and about a dozen participants has since grown to serve dozens of individuals across targeted neighborhoods.

Emma Garrison, social worker and case manager for the Hope program, said the work centers on addressing root causes — not just responding to crises.

“A lot of times our youth and families don’t have access to resources,” Garrison said. “Case management has been huge in bringing resources to where the participant is at — whether that’s legal aid, mental health counseling or helping them find employment.”

Garrison said many participants are dealing with untreated trauma.

“A lot of the individuals we serve are struggling with PTSD, depression or anxiety,” she said. “Those mental health challenges absolutely contribute to ongoing violence in the community. If we’re not addressing that piece, we’re missing something critical.”

To hear the entire interview with Callie Luttman and Emma Garrison, click here: Stream episode Focus- Hope For the Future – Violence Prevention in CU by Illini Media Group podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

The Hope team often receives referrals from outreach workers who build trust in neighborhoods identified as higher risk. That connection, Garrison said, makes a difference.

“Having the street outreach workers refer participants to me has been huge in terms of trust,” she said. “They know we’re on the same team. I always explain that I’m here to work with you, not against you. It’s just a different kind of support.”

Participants complete an assessment and develop individualized care plans focused on goals such as stable housing, employment, transportation and counseling. The program does not operate on a fixed timeline; instead, participants remain enrolled until they meet the objectives laid out in their plan.

“Consistency and accountability are really important,” Garrison said. “We do regular check-ins and set expectations, but it comes from a place of compassion. We want them to rise to those expectations because we believe they can.”

Hope also provides victim advocacy, responding to hospitals after shootings and offering continued aftercare once the immediate crisis has passed.

“Support doesn’t stop at the hospital,” Garrison said. “We want families to know we’re still here weeks and months later, helping with housing, therapy or whatever they need to stabilize.”

Community members can support the program through donations, employment opportunities for individuals with records and sustained engagement in neighborhood efforts.

“We can’t do this alone,” Garrison said. “It really takes the whole community being willing to show up before something happens — not just after.”

More information about DREAAM and the Hope program is available at https://dreaam.org/.