A trauma recovery program for youth in Chicago

Project FIRE

Project FIRE is a glassblowing, ceramics, and trauma recovery program for Chicago youth impacted by violence and systemic adversity.

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In addition to healing through glassblowing, Project FIRE is an employment and mentoring program that provides trauma-informed support groups, and links to community partners for wrap-around and peer support. The program partners with mental health providers for intensive case management.

Project FIRE began in partnership with Healing Hurt People - Chicago, a hospital-based violence intervention initiative and with the support of a University of Chicago Medicine Urban Health Initiative Faculty Fellowship in 2014.

In the past four years, seven of our participants and two instructors have received scholarships from the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

How it Works

Project FIRE works with 25 young people per session. Sessions take place in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Each individual meets for 4-8 hours per week, each day beginning with three hours of glassblowing, followed by one hour of youth co-facilitated trauma informed support groups, called SELF groups.

Know someone who would benefit from Project FIRE? Reach out and let us know and we’ll provide next steps.

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Project FIRE’s Primary Goals

Prevent Youth Violence

Prevent violence in youth who are among those at the highest risk for violence through a combination of glass arts education, mentoring, and trauma-specific psychoeducation.

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Offer Support & Safety

Offer youth a safe place to connect with peers facing similar struggles, and provide protective, positive, safe relationships with older youth and adults.

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Build Workforce Readiness

Provide a program environment where youth develop advanced artistic skills, workplace habits, leadership experience, and the social-emotional support needed to pursue employment and other opportunities.

Black abstract flame design with bold shapes.

Group of young people in black shirts at a glassblowing workshop, some working with glass objects and others observing, in an industrial studio setting.

Program History

Project FIRE was co-created by glass artist Pearl Dick & clinical psychologist Bradley Stolbach.

Pearl Dick and Bradley Stolback were in partnership with Healing Hurt People - Chicago and with the support of a University of Chicago Medicine Urban Health Initiative Faculty Fellowship in 2014.

Shortly after the launch of the program, Project FIRE joined forces with the well established and respected nonprofit, Firebird Community Arts. Project FIRE is now our flagship program and has paved the way for a variety of innovative social justice arts programs taking place here.