Vaun Mayes, 29, founded We All We Got, a grassroots community policing initiative in the Sherman Park neighborhood, in an effort to reduce violence by intervening in fights and domestic disputes.

But early this summer, as he got wind of fights taking place in Sherman Park, Mayes and his colleagues moved their operation there and founded Program the Parks. Now he and his group organize activities, provide food, act as role models and mentors, and keep peace for the kids and young adults in the park.