Fred Long

“I grew up in Roseland.

“We lived in a two-flat with a basement and one bathroom: me and 25 other family members. Drug problems, gang violence, all of that was the reality.

“Vocational school was vital for me and I thank God I got a job. It’s a cliché but that totally changed my life.

“You see reports about how hard it is to find a job in Chicago. How hard it is for young black men, especially. Every time I hear those numbers do you know what I say? We already know. We know that so many young people are trapped. And nothing has changed.

“All I hear from young people here is that they need money. They need money to support their families, and they look at me like: ‘who are you to tell me that going into the black market isn’t in my best interest?’

“The lack of work leads to choosing a life of violence.”

Fred Long
UCAN
Chicago, Illinois

Read Fred’s story here.