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2026 TCS Local Heroes
The TCS Local Heroes in Violence Reduction Award honors individuals in the Chicagoland area who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, innovation, and dedication to reducing violence and building safer communities. These are local trajectory changers—grassroots leaders who who exemplify the core values of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and other effective community engagement models, and work relentlessly with those most impacted by violence.
Each recipient received a $500 cash honorarium and $10,ooo in leadership coaching from TCS for six-months begining in January 2026.

Damien
Breakthrough
Shay Genous
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (INVC)
Charles MacKenzie
Englewoof First Responders
James Sims
Claretian Associates
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