Chicago marked a major milestone on July 10 with the official naming of its first city-designated safe zone at Alt Space Chicago, honoring the Austin Safety Action Plan (ASAP) safe zone initiative.
ASAP is a youth-led initiative launched by Root2Fruit Youth Foundation to create a model for community safety by activating designated safe zones. A safe zone refers to a designated area where young people lead cleanup efforts, plant trees and build community relationships as part of their strategy to “Protect Our Hood.”
Over 75 people attended the July 10 naming, filling the space at Alt Space Chicago so quickly that organizers had to bring out extra chairs to accommodate the crowd.
Alderman Chris Taliaferro introduced a resolution adopted by the Chicago City Council honoring Aisha T. Oliver—founder of the ASAP Safe Zone and the Root2Fruit Youth Foundation — along with members of the ASAP Safe Zone: Lester Bradford, Khoe Hollins, Travail Hollins, Darian German, Davonte Dudley, Jaquez Beasley, Michael Britton, Demarius Gillespie, LiWayne Lee, and Jaysaun Turnipseed, for their consistent mentorship of youth in the 29th Ward. Oliver is an occasional Austin Weekly news columnist.
At the naming, Taliaferro spoke alongside Oliver and Jordan Campbell, co-founder and director for Alt Space Chicago.
“We wish to extend our congratulations as we take this opportunity to celebrate the naming of the ASAP Safe Zone in the 29th ward,” Taliaferro said.
Campbell emphasized that the most valuable part of the lecture is the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of voices and to use one’s God-given gifts — whether speaking or helping others, with strength and purpose to serve the community.
“It’s not only available, but it’s accessible. There’s a difference. So when we talk about accessibility, this means that (Root2Fruit) are doing it, and that you can make this a safe space at home,” Campbell said.
Oliver reflects on her deep-rooted commitment to her community, especially the youth of Chicago’s West Side. She describes how the Root2Fruit Youth Foundation and the ASAP initiative grew from lived experience, mentorship and a call to action following the death of a three-year-old.
“And I decided that day: enough is enough. Prayer is one thing, but you can’t just pray — you have to act. Where’s the activation? Let’s be proactive, not reactive,” Oliver said.
Oliver emphasizes that the project wasn’t just about creating a program — it was about building a family-like environment where young people felt safe, loved and supported. Over time, that support turned into real-life bonds, shared meals, celebrations and mentorship that extended far beyond surface-level engagement.
“You have to truly feel the community. Community is something you have to actively engage in. Many people use the term ‘community engagement’ way too loosely — without giving it the time, effort, energy, or authenticity it deserves,” Oliver said. “The reason I can stand here so proudly and boldly, and move the way I do unafraid, is because I am very straightforward. If I don’t like something, I speak up—I don’t wait.”
When asked how it feels to be recognized at the first officially recognized space in Chicago, Dudley described it as a surreal moment.
“So for us to have been putting in the work for this long and finally get recognized —and for people to shine a light on us and say we’ve been doing this kind of work — I’m really appreciative of it. It’s a surreal moment, and it’s something meaningful for the community,” Dudley said.
