INDIANAPOLIS — As Indianapolis grapples with a spike in violence, especially involving young people, 13News wants to share stories of solutions: the Hoosiers working to curb crime and lift people up.
That includes Yuri Smith, president of a nonprofit that's using chess to change lives.
Youth 2 Greatness, Inc. and its "Chess in the Park" initiative was recently awarded a $75,000 Elevation Grant from the Indianapolis Foundation.
Smith is always thinking three steps ahead. It's a strategy he learned as a kid, growing up in Indy's Riverside neighborhood. He mastered the game of chess after learning how to play from his uncle. Smith said the game saved him from drugs, violence and taking the wrong path.
Smith is using the skills now to empower others.
"A lot of the questions that we ask in chess would serve people in real life — why did you make that decision?" Smith said. "And so that's why we choose chess to develop those critical thinking skills."
Smith started Chess in the Park a few years ago in Frank Young Park.
It's meant to bring neighbors together, while teaching them how to play out consequences on the chess board and beyond.
Ron Rice, a community builder and resident on the near northwest side, has seen chess change lives.
"I absolutely love what it's done for the kids here. When people say the game of chess, I like to say the game of life," Rice said. "We change lives, change lifestyles, to help people even see a different lifestyle, which is what chess is all about: can you see another option."
"And lo and behold, it has really blown up and really revitalized our community," Smith said.
Smith said the $75,000 grant his project received will fund events outside of Frank Young Park.
He's hosting three events in the 46202 and 46208 ZIP codes:
- "The Kickback" on July 1
- "The Cleanup" on July 8
- "The Plug" on July 15
The first gathering features free food, music and fun for kids.
But to get tickets for the food, young people will have to share their name, some demographic information and most importantly, what they need and want in their neighborhoods, and what they think is lacking.
Smith plans to use that data to bring health, job and educational resources to the third gathering in mid-July.
The grant is also creating community navigators.
Neighbors will get paid to go door-to-door, talk with people and connect them with ways to improve their lives.
"They'll ask how they're doing. 'Do you need transportation somewhere? Do you need food? Do you have a food insecurity situation? Do you need help with housing? And do you have a need for a job?' Then, our job is to help get those needs met," Smith said.
All of it comes with the backdrop of a chess board. They'll learn and play chess with neighbors each time, just like the program at Frank Young Park.
"We'll do the exact same thing that we're doing here to change lives, to change lifestyles," Rice said.
"Because this is what gets the conversation started," Smith said. "Either how do I learn to play or, you know, how can I beat you?"
It's a strategy that's proven it can win.
Learn more about Chess in the Park and Youth 2 Greatness and how to get involved here.