{{Short description|Memorial of gun violence}} thumb|right|300px|The Kids Off The Block memorial featuring hundreds of stones, one for each person killed by gun violence in Chicago

thumb|right|300px|The stones to memorialize the young people killed in Chicago, featuring the names, ages and date of death of the young people

'''Kids Off the Block''' ('''KOB''') was a memorial of stones of young people killed by gun violence. The memorial was located in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood, with the mission "to provide at-risk low income youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, truancy, violence and the juvenile justice system."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidsofftheblock.us/|title=Kids Off The Block, Inc. (KOB)|accessdate=2012-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yelp.com/biz/kids-off-the-block-chicago|title=Kids off the Block - Chicago, IL}}</ref>

KOB was founded in 2003 by Diane Latiker, a mother of eight, who opened her home to youth in her community to help steer them away from the negative influences of the streets.<ref name="about">{{Cite web|url=http://www.kidsofftheblock.us/aboutus|title=About {{!}} Kids Off The Block|website=www.kidsofftheblock.us|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref><ref name="out of">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/05/02/off-the-block-out-of-trouble/|title=Off the block, out of trouble|website=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref> KOB works with youth, teens, and young adults ages 12–24 years old.<ref name="about" /> Latiker developed KOB's programming after talking with Roseland youth about their issues and concerns. "I found out that the kids don't even dream about tomorrow anymore", Latiker said in a 2006 ''Chicago Tribune'' article. "You ask, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' They say, 'What?' "<ref name="out of" />

As a result, KOB offers homework help, mentoring, music, drama, sports, community service and a "safe place" to hang out.<ref name="about" /><ref name="out of" /> Starting out with ten children from the neighborhood, more than a decade later, KOB has serviced more than 2,000 participants since its inception.<ref name="about"/>

To shock people into action, Latiker set up a stone memorial at 11627 South Michigan Avenue<ref>https://www.facebook.com/dianekob {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref> in memory of all the young people who have lost their life to gun violence since 2007.<ref name="grandmother">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/04/07/cnnheroes.latiker.roseland.youth/|title=Grandmother helping Chicago kids 'off the block'|website=www.cnn.com|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref> There are more than 600 stones lining the memorial, each representing a victim.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rainbowpush.org/page/-/Documents/PressRelease/Release061116.pdf|title=Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. announced his personal endorsement of Secretary Hillary Clinton. "You can trust her".|last=Terry|first=Don|date=|website=|publisher=Rainbow Push Coalition|access-date=June 19, 2016|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812173823/http://www.rainbowpush.org/page/-/Documents/PressRelease/Release061116.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Through her efforts, Latiker has become a voice for local youth. "Our young people need help", she told CNN in 2011.<ref name="grandmother" /> "All of them are not gangbangers. All of them are not dropouts. But the ones that are, they need our help."

==Programs== KOB provides structured programs and events for youth including Tutoring/Mentoring, Drama, Music, Sports, Community Service, Local/Out of Town Travel, Job Readiness, GED Preparation, Health/Fitness and Nutrition, Cultural Arts.

The following organizations have partnered with Kids Off the Block: * Roseland Safety Networks * CAPs (Community Assistance Programs) * St. John Missionary Baptist Church * Nehemiah Restoration Coalition * Illinois Healthcare Consortium * Phalanx Family Services * Worldvision * Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce

The organization maintains a memorial to children killed by violence in Chicago (pictured).

==History== Kids Off the Block was started by Diane Latiker (called 'Ms. Diane' by KOB teens) in 2003. As of 2012, more than 2,000 kids have been assisted by the organization.

Diane Latiker was named one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of the Year in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2011/09/29/us/cnnheroes-latiker-top10/index.html|work=CNN US | title=New hope for Chicago community 'plagued by violence'| date=29 September 2011|accessdate=2012-02-19}}</ref>

== See also == * Crime in Chicago

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://kidsofftheblock.us/ Official Website] *[https://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/04/07/cnnheroes.latiker.roseland.youth/index.html CNN interview] *[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/08/diane-latiker-kids-off-block_n_846813.html Huffington post article] *[https://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2012/01/09/cnnheroes-tribute-latiker.cnn short video from CNN about organization] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0LeTVgkSwE KOB Video about the organization]

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago Category:Crime in Chicago Category:2003 establishments in Illinois