Andre Warth of North Chicago and Jenessa Gonzalez of Antioch have three important things in common: peacemakers in the Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, serving time in prison, and this year’s Waukegan Town Coalition to Reduce Recidivism.
A Waukegan native, Warship, 46, was involved with gangs when he was 8 and was sentenced to prison as an adult for armed robbery at age 15. He returned more than once before guiding people away from his youthful path, starting his own business and joining the Peacemakers.
“I used what I learned and did to help them do things differently,” Warship said. “I pointed them to resources. I gave them some jobs.”
Gonzalez, who grew up in Antioch, said her life centered around the church, and she “never smoked, drank or cursed.” I went to college in Wisconsin and got involved with a classmate who was using drugs.
Gonzalez, 46, who was arrested on drug charges, said she had two options: testify against him or file a petition. After being selected for prison, she was sent to a boot camp to shorten her sentence. After her release, she found work and was promoted to a management position. She also became a peacemaker.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done to (reduce) gun violence,” Gonzalez said. “I have the ability to make a difference. I can tell people the right way to do it, the humane way.”
Gonzalez and Warship were honored as Female Homecoming of the Year and Male Homecoming of the Year, respectively, at the Town of Waukegan’s Coalition to Reduce Recidivism at its 22nd annual luncheon on Friday in Waukegan for their upward and successful journey through life.
Waukegan Town Supervisor Mark Jones, who oversees the coalition, said after the event that it was a celebration of individual and organizational success that “uplifts, encourages and inspires justice-impacted individuals returning to our community from prison.”
“The representation present from the public, private and faith sectors speaks to the shared vision that a conviction should not be a life sentence and that everyone deserves a second chance,” Jones said. “We build bridges to give people a helping hand.”
The coalition uses assistance to help people find a career and supportive services to help them obtain a criminal record to become self-sufficient, according to the organization’s mission statement.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Reinhart, who spoke at the event, began the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative in 2022 in the wake of the Highland Park mass shooting on the Fourth of July. He said peacemakers like Warship and Gonzalez are key to a decline in gun violence in the region.
“Their hyper-local presence, ongoing engagement, and deep community relationships enable them to serve as trusted and credible reporters,” Reinhart said. “With this credibility, they connect at-risk youth to services, mediate conflicts, fire, and connect victims to services immediately.”
Between 2022 and 2024, after the event, gun homicides in Waukegan, North Chicago and Zion dropped by 61% and non-fatal shootings dropped by 62%, Reinhart said.
As peacemakers, Jones said Warship and Gonzalez not only developed successful lives after their time in prison, but now, in addition to their careers, they use their work as peacemakers to directly help save lives and prevent people from going to prison.
“This year’s male and female returnees are a perfect example of those who not only deserve a second chance, but have maximized their second chance to impact the community and inspire others to not go down a similar path,” Jones said. “
Other award winners were George Moore and his Legacy Reentry Foundation as Service Organization of the Year as well as Mary Roberson and the Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) as Employer of the Year.
Coalition Legal was honored as Justinian of the Year, Sylvia Johnson Jones was honored as Volunteer of the Year, and First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church was named Religious Organization of the Year.
Carlos Martinez, one of NIRCO’s peer mentors, received special recognition for “Reclaiming One’s Life.” Alice Howell and Latoya Howell were also honored as founders of FOCUS, as well as Tiffany Peppers, senior pastor of Jesus Apostolic Church, for its summer camp.