CHICAGO (WLS) — A West Side non-profit, Luv City, is helping teens from all over Chicago get engaged to help reduce violence by introducing them to media production.

Luv City founder Andre Rodriguez spent time in prison, and after his release, he wanted to connect with his son and more young people in the community to make a difference.

“All these young people are on the phone. How do we get into the phone,” Rodriguez said during an interview on ABC7. “And I figured out a way by creating content,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez gained traction after teaching himself to shoot music videos on his cell phone; that’s when he created Luv City.

Rodriguez received a grant in 2022 to expand Luv City by building its current studio in Garfield Park and buying professional equipment for teens to learn with and use to showcase their talents. The funding also allowed Rodriguez to provide participants with a stipend. Since then, Luv City has grown from shooting music videos to podcasting on issues impacting youth and creating short films and documentaries with teens in the program. One of those films will be showcased at a local theater on Sunday, April 27, for Luv City participants and their families. Teens also created Luv City’s merch & motto, “Shoot Movies, Not Guns.”

Rodriguez says teens in the program need to take the lead on what Luv City is and should be; that’s what he attributes to Luv City’s success.

Participant James Freeman III, who goes by Tre, said Luv City gives him a positive outlet. Freeman said he participated in so-called “teen takeovers” before joining Luv City. He credits the organization for giving him a positive outlet to showcase his talents and connect with other young people.

“Luv City, that’s the trend now, and we can work and learn stuff too,” Freeman said.

The largest program for Luv City, a five-week program, is over the summer. Luv City’s grant money runs out in June. Rodriguez said the organization has some funding to keep the doors to their production studio open, but he’s fundraising for more support.

The Luv City Premiere Gala fundraiser is from 6:30-9 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at 3849 West Lake Street. Tickets start at $50. For more information, visit luvcity.org.