In 2007, World Sport Chicago partnered with USA Boxing in application for an Olympic Opportunity Grant from the United States Olympic Committee to develop and launch the Gloves not Guns program in the Chicago area. Gloves not Guns is a program for Chicago youth that offers free clinics and coaching at designated training sites. Coaches are USA Boxing certified and offer youth a healthy, supervised alternative from participating in gang activities and violent behavior. Clinics cover basic offensive and defensive techniques with a particular focus on the exercise and conditioning elements of the sport. They occur throughout the city and are offered through organizers through USA Boxing, the Police Athletic League and the Chicago Park District. The program is the first step in a nationally oriented movement of USA Boxing to expand diversity and help curb youth violence.

The program is currently administered nationally by USA Boxing and it's local affiliates. For more information about the local Gloves not Guns affiliates, please visit USA Boxing.

To view photos from this program, please see our Flickr page.