Chicago program 'Kids Off The Block' keeps kids safe, busy

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Chicago programs keep kids off the streets and safe this summer

The gunfire erupting this weekend in Millennium Park is underscoring an underlying problem: what can kids do to stay safe and keep busy this summer? We talked with Diane Latiker, founder and executive director of Kids off the Block.

A number of local organizations are working on keeping kids safe from violence.

Among them is Chicago’s Kids Off The Block, which has been around for nearly 19 years.

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"We're in the community. The door is open 24/7. And we're not the only ones though," said Diane Latiker, founder and executive director of Kids Off The Block.

"In our community, there are lots of organizations whose doors are open to young people, even if they don't have anywhere to go or anybody to guide them. We're here to help," she added.

Kids Off The Block is located at 116th Street and Michigan Avenue in the West Pullman neighborhood.