CW Harris

C.W. Harris was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago in the Austin and North Lawndale Communities. He attended Michele Clark Magnet High School and obtained his High School Diploma in 2020. Despite reaching this critical milestone, C.W. struggled to transition to full-time, legal employment successfully and found himself "in the streets and with the wrong people," putting him and those close to him at risk. Over time, he became more deeply involved in the gang-related activities that were surrounding and impacting his community. A critical breaking point came when he learned that he would be a father for the first time. At that time, a close friend told C.W. about his experience with Chicago CRED and the opportunities they were offering young men and women seeking to make a positive change in their lives. He took a leap of faith and joined CRED a few weeks later, on the very day his son was born. C.W. spent 18 months in the CRED program, learning self-regulation, conflict management, and life and job skills that have helped to change his trajectory. Upon graduation, he joined the CRED team as a Junior Life Coach and looks forward to a bright future with his family as he continues to help others transform their lives for the better.