Peter Cunningham, a consultant at Chicago CRED, stated that the Sue Ling Gin Foundation's support has helped the organization advance its mission of reducing gun violence and creating economic opportunities for at-risk youth in Chicago. Cunningham shared his statement with Business Daily during a June 18 interview.

"The Sue Ling Gin Foundation's support is truly transformative," said Peter Paul Cunningham. "The Sue Ling Gin Foundation's resources are supporting the expansion of our services to women, and to our programming aimed at job training and placement. It truly enables us to be nimble in our approach and quickly iterate on our most impactful strategies."

According to Business Daily, with substantial support from The Sue Ling Gin Foundation, Chicago CRED (Creating Real Economic Destiny) is scaling up its programs and services to create a broader impact. This infusion of funds has enabled CRED to enhance its intervention strategies, which have shown significant success in reducing shootings and violent arrests in targeted areas.

The Sue Ling Gin Foundation’s funding has been a game-changer for Chicago CRED, according to Cunningham. He said the foundation’s gift is transformative, allowing the organization to expand its reach and refine its strategies. Citywide statistics from 2022 to 2023 indicate a notable decrease in gun violence, with homicides down by 12.9% and total shootings down by 16%. CRED's impact is even more pronounced within its service areas, where participants are significantly less likely to be involved in shootings or arrests. Research from Northwestern’s CORNERS highlights that CRED participants are 73% less likely to be arrested after completing the program, indicating the effectiveness of their interventions.

Cunningham said the foundation’s support has enabled CRED to address critical gaps in the violence intervention ecosystem, particularly among younger adolescents who have faced increased victimization since the pandemic. Additionally, the funding has facilitated the expansion of services to women and enhanced job training and placement programs. A notable initiative supported by this funding is the Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2), which aims to reduce shootings and homicides by 50% in five years and 75% in ten years. This initiative is backed by an historic collaboration among community-based and governmental stakeholders, with CRED serving as the implementation partner. "The Sue Ling Gin Foundation's resources are supporting the expansion of our services to women, and to our programming aimed at job training and placement," Cunningham said.

Cunningham told Business Daily about the role of the Sue Ling Gin Foundation in setting a precedent for other business community leaders to support efforts against gun violence. Their commitment has not only enabled CRED to serve more individuals but has also validated and amplified their mission with others. "This grant provides enormous validation for our work and signals to the rest of the city that gun violence is solvable," he said. Looking ahead, he envisions continued collaboration with the foundation will allow CRED to scale its efforts across more neighborhoods, fostering long-term public support for community violence interventions as a key component of Chicago’s public safety strategy. This partnership, characterized by trust-based, flexible support, empowers CRED to adapt and implement impactful strategies for lasting change.

According to its website, Chicago CRED (Creating Real Economic Destiny) is dedicated to reducing gun violence and creating economic opportunities for at-risk youth in Chicago. Through strategic interventions, job training, and partnerships with community stakeholders, CRED aims to foster safer communities and provide young individuals with pathways to success. Their impactful programs, supported by significant funding from foundations like The Sue Ling Gin Foundation, have led to measurable decreases in violence and improved prospects for participants.