The Voice Newspapers, Serving Chicago's West Side: BUSINESS CARDS

REPORT FROM ALDERMAN EMMA MITTS

Chicago Renames First Major Downtown Street for Legendary Black Journalist and Civil Rights Pioneer Ida B. Wells-Barnett

Black History Month 2019 in the city of Chicago has reached a new level of prominence this week, with the renaming of Congress Parkway for the late Ida B. Wells-Barnett, the pioneering African-American journalist, suffragist and civil rights activist who was also a founding member of the NAACP. Today, the newly named Ida B. Wells Drive officially stretches from Grant Park west to the entrance to the Eisenhower Expressway.

Why is this significant?

Well primarily, because it represents the first time ever that a Black woman has been honored in this manner. And as Alderman, I’m proud to have joined with others last year in the Chicago City Council voting to help turn this dream of her family into reality - - now, 88 years after her death.

Her life story is one of tremendous commitment, courage and determination. Ida B. Wells was born a slave in 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi. A few years later slavery was ended by President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Orphaned at 16 after both of her parents and a younger sibling died from a yellow fever epidemic, she assumed responsibility for her remaining five siblings, fought to attend college and eventually became a teacher in her native Mississippi before moving to Memphis.

Riding the train, she was forcibly removed by three white men because she refused to move to a car for Blacks only. That incident inspired her to change careers, turning her into a leading journalist and civil rights activist. Ms. Wells’ Free Speech newspaper office was destroyed by angry mobs in response to her outspoken articles. Exiled from Memphis, for over 30 years, she avoided the South. In 1893 and 1894, she traveled across the United States, throughout the United Kingdom and Great Britain, passionately writing, protesting against lynching and supporting women’s rights.

Ida B. Wells eventually moved to Chicago and married attorney Ferdinand L. Barnett in 1895. Here she continued her journalistic work as co-editor of the Conservator, one of Chicago’s early Black newspapers. Ida B. Wells partnered with Jane Addams to prevent the establishment of segregated public schools, helped open Chicago’s first kindergarten for Black children, founded the Negro Fellowship League to assist Black men and boys, and played major roles in civil rights, women's rights, and worked with Susan B. Anthony as a leader in the women’s suffrage movements. She founded the Alpha Suffrage Club – an organization of Black women who fought for the right to vote. Ida B. Wells-Barnett died at 68 in 1931. Ida B. Wells was a courageous, tireless advocate and leader, who truly deserves this great recognition and honor for the prominent role she played in both Chicago’s Black history, as well as the city’s overall history.

Got a question or concern? For more information, contact the 37th Ward Alderman’s Office at 773-379-0960.

AS I SEE IT By Representative La Shawn K. Ford

Why I’m running — and why I’m the best choice for Chicago now

Chicago will do better economically when the West and South Sides of our city do better. Having grown up on the West Side, operating my real estate business on the West Side for the last 20 years, and still living on the West Side, I have the vision to create vibrant, thriving and economically healthy neighborhoods throughout Chicago, including the West and South Sides – and that is why I am running for mayor. As state Representative representing parts of the West Side and the near West Suburbs for the last 12 years, I have a record of working across the aisle sponsoring and passing legislation supported by the Chicago Business Council which permits health insurers to provide coverage for substance use recovery housing. As mayor, I will use my strong relationships with businesses, in Springfield, and with our congressional delegation to bring more capital money to rebuild Chicago’s neighborhoods, improve education funding, hold the line on property taxes, advocate for a fair tax system, and close inappropriate corporate loopholes. We need a mayor to ensure Chicago is the most health-insured in the country and achieves the greatest census count. Although tax increment financing (TIF) can be tweaked in Chicago, works needs to be done in Springfield so that TIFs spur development where development is needed most. We need to turn empty lots and abandoned buildings, so prevalent on the West and South Sides, into tax-paying thriving businesses and homes to increase our tax base. I firmly believe that the money is there to meet our challenges. We just need a bold, innovative mayor not influenced by moneyed interests but willing to work with all interested parties, especially with those who have not been at the decision-making table before. We need a mayor who can make decisions to benefit ALL of Chicago, and I believe I am that person.
I also firmly believe that for Chicago to move forward economically and socially, we need healing, especially racial healing, and we must confront the costs of settling police misconduct cases, the low homicide clearance rate, blacks moving out of our city, and especially removing workers from their families and the economy when they are involved in the criminal justice system. With my commitment to criminal justice reform, police accountability, restorative justice and economic opportunities for all, I believe I am the right choice to be mayor of our great city.

State Representative La Shawn K. Ford, Candidate for Mayor of the City of Chicago

For more information, contact one of Ford’s Constituent Service Offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673, 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902 or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962, or visit www.lashawnford.com.

What Does God Have To Do With It? Who’s Running It?By Angie Mims

A LOVE TO CARRY US THROUGH

It’s Valentine’s Day. Many who profess to love the special person in their lives will do what they can to demonstrate their affection to the one whom they adore. Most women eagerly await a beautiful flower arrangement, perhaps chocolates and a lovely piece of jewelry. If this special man really wants to show his love and adoration, he’ll plan a romantic date with fine cuisine, perhaps music and a well blended fine wine. With crimson cheeks, she’ll blush and he’ll know within his heart that he has done well. Life becomes even sweeter if she shows her love by taking the time to pick up something just as sweet to prove her love to him.
On the other hand, some couples are perfectly fine with a simple acknowledgement of the day. For couples who have been together for some time, they feel no need to spend money on the things listed above
because their love is shown continuously throughout the year. For them, that’s enough.
However, what about a love to carry us through?
From time to time, couples find themselves questioning their future and if they’re with the right person. Individuals find themselves questioning their career choices trying to see if they should take a chance and do something quite different from their current vocation.
Christians find themselves wondering if they’re in the right church or if going to church is even beneficial at all. Those who have lost their loved ones due to violence, cancers, heart diseases, suicide and fatal accidents will all too often find themselves wandering throughout the land, day to day, wishing for that empty place to be filled.
So what does God have to do with it? Everything. Nothing hurts more than a broken heart. Nothing is more frustrating than not knowing what next step to make and nothing is more disappointing than knowing that you’ve let yourself down. In a world when we all can be let down and when we let others down, there’s only one love that can carry us through the challenges of life.
Fortunately for all who believe, there’s a love so deep and and a love so pure, we can’t escape it no matter how hard we try. It is the undiluted love of Jesus Christ. This Valentine’s Day, consider giving all of your fears, hurts and disappointments to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His Love taste sweeter than any rich piece of chocolate.
His Love can crown your head better than any gold pendant. His Love can adorn you far better than any beautiful rose. If you just gave Him another try, He will carry you through this journey we call life. It’s simply God’s Way of saying, “I Love You.”

Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you.

Angie Mims is a radio personality for the Promoting Precision Radio Show. She has interviewed many greats on her show such as NBC 5’s Art Norman, CLTV News Dr. Garrard McClendon, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Ebony Magazine’s Senior Editor, Lynn Norment, the former president of Nigeria, General Olesugun Obasanjo, NBA players and many others. Visit her online at www.promotingprecision.com. Angie loves to meet new people and is in a constant attempt to unite people from all over the world. If you have a great story, don’t hesitate! Email her at AngieMims@PromotingPrecision.com today! You may also call (708)-612-4864. Support The Austin Voice Newspaper and let them know your thoughts about her column.

SISTER HOUSE by Lisa Steward-Baugh, Executive Director

Message

(By, J. D. – SisterHouse resident)

Night to day, day to night, terrifying, scary, a frightening sight.
A new sunset means a new sunrise to an active addict is something to despise.
I strive for sobriety just for today.
I smile with my sanity and a message to say.
Insane my actions in my activities may seem bizarre to you,
but necessary to me in order to stay clean and serene.
I put all my feelings on the line, blaming my own self all the time.
I’m no longer carrying that baggage with me, it’s necessary for my sobriety.
If you feel down and out, if you feel alone, reach out, speak out,
and don’t hold it in. It could save your life or the life of a friend.
Some want to run, some want to stay, but we all have a message to say……so stay, talk and listen.

Just for today!

Recovery Is Possible

By SisterHouse Executive Director Lisa Steward-Baugh

The above is a poem shared by a resident of SisterHouse. Often times the women are asked to share how they are coming along either in their RECOVERY and/or how SISTERHOUSE assists them in their process.

To receive more information on SisterHouse’s services for women and/or volunteer opportunities, please call 773/626-0525 or email Lisa Steward-Baugh sisterhousechicago@yahoo.com.

REACHING BEYOND THE WALLS By Reverend Dr. T.C. Thomas, Sr. Pastor

Surge Protector

How many of you have computers or other electronics that require additional electrical outlets? As we have all ascertained, the wall outlets just do not have enough electrical space. Thus, the surge protector was developed to help add additional outlet ports and protects the devices against weather or becoming overloaded. In a world that spends more time on hating and less time on loving, we can take a lesson from the surge protector. There are many things that seek to push our lives to be in a less than state. The power and the plan of God positions us to be strengthened by His word and the ultimate gift of His son Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” With each day, God allows us to walk in His strength and share His power and His grace so we may be a living testimony to tell everyone that God is great! Allow God to be your protector and your strength. Trouble seems to come and all hope seems as though it’s lost. What is the amazing point of our heavenly surge protector is that God can and will keep us through dangers seen and unseen. His protective power keeps us in His total and powerful care.

Dr. T.C. Thomas is the Pastor of Walls Memorial C.M.E. Church, 200 S. Sacramento Blvd., on Chicago’s west Side. He is a strong advocate for children, education, healthcare and most of all the people of God “being better and not bitter.” Rev. Thomas may be contacted at 773/533/2721.

A Call To Action: By Reverend Charles C. Brown, Ph.D. - Pastor, New Heaven Christian Church

Show Me Some Love On More Than
Just One Day Out of the Year

During one of my Introduction to Psychology courses, my students and I discussed the complex and alluring emotional concept that we call love. Although this came as no surprise, the conversation grew quite intense as we verbally dissected the psychological and physiological responses that are inherently present whenever we find ourselves attracted to a potential mate. In the midst of our philosophical debate that covered this often confusing and ever-evolving topic, one of my academic scholars boldly raised her hand and asked me, “Do you even believe in true love and do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?” Without any hesitation, and without having the need to spend any time at all pondering her age-old question, I emphatically replied, “Although I definitely believe in true love, I absolutely refuse to commemorate a superficial occasion that provides an overrated excuse for the poor behavior that so many of us tend to display throughout the year in the name of love!”
In other words, I choose not to observe this one-day event that honors a Hallmark holiday, if love is not to be shown throughout the remaining 364 days of the year. Although I am not intentionally attempting to ruin anyone’s plans for their festival love affair, for me, unexpected tokens of love and appreciation throughout the year far outweigh the staged and over-exaggerated displays of economic dysfunction. Furthermore, I have always been extremely amazed, baffled, bewildered, and confused at the way in which some couples that were on the verge of going their separate ways can somehow find the means to make amends on this “special” day. I have never been able to fully understand how, from January the 1st to February the 13th, some couples can argue, fight, fuss, cuss, and at times refuse to even speak to one another, but on February the 14th, it is all happy, happy, joy, joy, flowers, candy, kisses, and jewelry. However, by February the 15th, things are back to normal, and it is time to celebrate the holiday with the side chick or the other dude.
Love has nothing to do with a half-naked, chubby little baby, who has little wings and is armed with a bow and arrow, flying around just waiting to shoot some unexpecting individuals. Neither does love have anything to do with the overpriced flowers that will be sold on just about every major corner in the city, or the outdated cards and old candy that the local store unpacked last month from last year’s leftovers just for this special occasion. True love is about an emotional connection that we cannot fully comprehend. It is an unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another that arises from kinship, personal ties, sexual attraction, admiration, or common interest (Merriam Webster dictionary, 2017). True love is built over time [<-2 words], and it is a complex emotion that skillfully binds interest, curiosity, fulfillment, happiness, joy, excitement, and a sense of safety and belonging into an unbreakable bond. This makes it the main ingredient or central factor in determining the strength, direction, and longevity of any relationship.
Therefore, one of the hardest concepts for many of us to understand is the idea that we were created to share our lives with someone who will appreciate, honor, cherish and respect us unconditionally for a lifetime. We were made to love and to be loved by someone special, which means more than just an occasional or once-a-year, trivial outpouring of affection. Therefore, I would rather not be shown love at all, if it is only shown on one day of the year.

Pastor of New Heaven Christian Church, Professor of Psychology, Advisor to State Representative LaShawn K. Ford, Illinois 8th District Chair of Higher Education, Co-Chair for the 37th Ward Pastors Alliance, and member of the New Baptist Ministers Fellowship.

JESUS FREEWAY EXPRESS

JESUS RETURN IS IMMINENT – CHOOSE ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST AND BE READY

Jesus return is imminent! His return is unknown; not given to the angels or no one – special to God (known only by Him). We all human beings are in this world temporarily on a journey here. Earth is not our permanent home. We will all stand at the edge of eternity and we will die and vacate this world forever – never to return. After we die, we will face the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2. The ten commandments of God must be used to measure our character to determine whether we meet God’s requirement (God’s standard) to merit admission into heaven with Him or not (meaning hell) – which was originally meant for Satan (the devil) and his fallen angels (the demons).
Cutting through the chase, I ask you these questions among others to examine ourselves whether or not we are ready if Jesus suddenly returns today for His own; for only the righteous shall see God. Are you a sinner? Let me ask you these questions?
1. Are you a Sinner (have not accepted Jesus as your Lord & Savior)?
2. Have you ever told a lie?
3. Have you ever stolen anything?
4. Have you ever looked at a woman or man with lustful intimacy eyes?
5. Have you ever had sex with another man or another woman even though you are married or sex while you are single?
6. If you are a preacher of the Word (Pastor or Evangelists) – do you preach half the truth and half lies; giving false witnessing to people out there assuring them of heaven even with sins committed without repentance and change?
7. Do you drink (alcohol) as a habit?
8. Do you do drugs?
9. Are you in a secret evil cult?
10. Are you too busy to go to Bible Believing, Bible teaching church?
11. Have you ever made someone stumble (sin)?
12. Have you ever cursed someone or even God because you say, God is good and He will forgive you without repentance of sins (change).
13. Have you ever killed someone?
14. Do you falsely gossip about your fellowman to others?
15. Are you worshipping another God – television, sports, clothes, jewelry, cars, jobs, etc. Instead of going to church?
16. If you answer ‘YES’ to any of these or all of the above, you are by your own admission convicted (found guilty) and may end up in in HELL if Jesus comes today and judge you. It is time to bring about change in our lives – repent of our sins and change and give your life to Christ (Jesus) to save us from going to hell. Sing this song along with me.
Come on Jesus – Come on Savior; For you we wait for – For you can SAVE us.
Jesus was sent into the world to us by Father God who loved us dearly: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus, because of His love for us, came down from heaven to save us. Jesus comes that we shall have life and have it more abundantly. The enemy (the devil) comes to steal, kill and destroy. Choose life today. Accept Jesus today as your personal Savior – do not delay. For prayer support, please call me at 630 965 0256. Thanks and God bless. Apostle/Prophet E. Dada.

Dr. James Poulos Presents:

Dental Anxiety

3 Ways to Stop Fearing the Dentist

If you ever get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist, you’re not alone. Perhaps you’re scared the visit might hurt or you haven’t been in a while and not sure what the dentist will find.
Whatever your reason, the right dental team will make sure your dental and your emotional health are taken care of. The more you delay – or just don’t go – to the dentist, the higher your risk of developing dental problems that will make gearing up for future dental visits more difficult. In fact, seeing your dentist regularly can actually make the entire process – from making an appointment to sailing through it – much easier on many levels.
Use these strategies at your next appointment to help ease your anxiety and strengthen your smile.

1. Speak up
Anyone with anxiety knows sharing your feelings makes a world of difference. If you’re tense or anxious, do yourself a favor and get your concerns off your chest. Your dentist and dental team are better able to treat you if they know your needs.
• Tell your dentist about your anxiety. When you book your appointment, tell the receptionist you’re nervous about dental visits. Remind the dentist and dental staff about your anxiety when you arrive. Share any bad experiences you may have had in the past, and ask for suggestions on coping strategies.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes knowing what is going to happen alleviates any fears of the unknown.
• Agree on a signal. Let your dentist know by raising your hand if you need to take a break during an exam.
• If you experience pain even with a local anesthetic, tell your dentist. Some patients get embarrassed about their pain tolerance or don’t want to interrupt a dentist during a procedure. Talk with your dentist about pain before it starts so your dentist knows how to communicate with you and make it more comfortable.

2. Distract yourself
Taking your mind off the exam may seem impossible when you’re nervous, but there are some things that that can help distract your thoughts.
• Wear headphones. If the sound of the drill bothers you, bring headphones so you can listen to your favorite music or audiobook. Some dental offices even have televisions or show DVDs.
• Occupy your hands by squeezing a stress ball or playing with a small handheld object, like a fidget spinner.
• Imagine your happy place and visualize yourself at a relaxing beach or garden.

3. Use mindfulness techniques
Relaxation starts in the mind. Try deep breathing exercises to help relax tension in your muscles.
• Count your breaths. Inhale slowly and then exhale for the same number of counts. Do this five times while you’re waiting for your appointment, or during breaks while you’re sitting in the dental chair.
• Do a body scan. Concentrate on relaxing your muscles, one body part at a time. Start with your head and work your way down to your toes. For example, you can focus on releasing tension starting in your forehead, then your cheeks, your neck and down the rest of your body.

James Poulos, DDS, leads a team of dental specialists at Madison Pine Dental Clinic, 5470 West Madison Street, Chicago. Kidzone is a part of Madison Pine Clinic providing care to children and teenagers in a comfortable, nonthreatening setting. The clinic provides orthodontic care, braces, implants, and cleaning, in addition to fillings, crowns, and dentures for patients of all ages. Madison Pine accepts Medicaid patients and most insurance plans. For an appointment, call (773) 287-2277.

MONEY RUN By Kevin Pearson

Plan to Plan

Have you ever wondered why do I need a business plan? One may say to ones self “ I know what I want to sale. Can I just open my doors and start making money.” This is a thought that has crossed many entrepreneur minds, but having or not having a business plan can be the beginning or the end of ones business.
In early 2001, you all may know I published a hip-hop magazine that circulated in Chicago and two other major cities. The idea to start the magazine came over night. I can remember sitting on the floor in my brother’s room flipping through some old magazines. I looked him right in the eye and said, “ I want to start a hip-hop magazine.” Neither of us had writing experience and definitely no publishing experience, yet he was all in. Our entire business plan was fluttering in our imaginations.
Finally in 2003, after hundreds of hit or miss (only by the grace of God) we put out a full color glossy magazine. The hip-hop community loved the publication. We were on the media list of major music labels; we got passes to just about every hip-hop event. So what was wrong with that you ask? NO MONEY. We had zero revenue coming in, and no strategy in place to get any. We were the new guys on the block, and no ad agency would touch us. Also, big hip-hop publications where adding online versions of them selves, called e-zines, yet we still owed the printer. We hung on for a few years but closed shop in 2006.
In the end, we had a great product and tenacity, but no plan to execute anything. Today I plan everything, ever phone call, email, I even wrote a plan to write this column. “Remember no business has ever been totally successful with out a plan in place to make it successful.”

Want to increase your customers and profit, but don’t know where to start? Let us help, contact the Voice Newspapers at Ph: 773-889-0880 or email: austinvoiceads@gmail.com

PCC WELLNESS CENTER By Alexandra T. Chavez, Development Coordinator

PCC Offers Care Centered Around You
Pregnant and struggling with addiction?

With growing heroin use on the west side of Chicago, PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) has started a chemical dependency program that offers combined prenatal care and substance abuse treatment for pregnant women. In this program, the treatment of heroin, alcohol, and prescription drug abuse is offered right in the doctor’s office.
PCC’s goal is to meet patients where they are in their recovery and help them to set goals without judgment. PCC can help improve the patients’ health and the health of their babies. Patients in this program receive safe, medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine and counseling. They visit weekly, are given ultrasounds, and deliver their babies at West Suburban Medical Center with a PCC doctor.
Services are available at our Chemical Dependency Clinic, located inside PCC Walk-In Wellness Center at West Suburban Medical Center at 1 Erie Court, Suite 1300, Oak Park, IL 60302. Pregnant women and their families in this program may continue to receive primary care, pediatric care, and behavioral health care at a nearby PCC location.
PCC accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and many health plans and also offers a sliding fee program for patients without insurance. They do not deny services because of inability to pay.

CANCER SOCIETY WARNS WOMEN OF THREAT FROM RADON EXPOSURE

A new report finds a statistically significant positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. This study is the first prospective population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication and whether it truly differs by sex.
Radon is a naturally-occurring byproduct of the decay of radium and is a known human lung carcinogen, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Modeling studies show that radon delivers a non-negligible dose of alpha radiation to the bone marrow and therefore could be related to risk of hematologic cancers. More than 171,000 new cases of hematologic cancer and more than 58,000 deaths are expected in the United States in 2016. Hematologic cancers are the most expensive cancers to treat per quality-adjusted life year gained.
For the current study, researchers led by Lauren Teras, Ph.D., of the American Cancer Society used data from the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort established in 1992, to examine the association between county-level residential radon exposure and risk of Hematologic cancer. The analysis included 140,652 participants among whom there were 3,019 hematologic cancers during 19 years of follow-up. They found women living in counties with the highest mean radon concentration had a statistically significant 63% higher risk of hematologic cancer compared to those living in counties with the lowest radon levels. They also found evidence of a dose-response relationship.
The authors say men may have a higher baseline risk, possibly because of more exposure to occupational or other risk factors for hematologic cancer, reducing the impact of any additional risk from residential radon. In women, who have a smaller baseline risk, residential radon exposure might be a larger contributor to overall risk. Another reason may be that the women of this generation spent more time in their homes, so had more residential exposure than men.
According to Dr. Teras, “Radon is already associated with lung cancer and if other studies confirm the link to blood cancers, we think it would warrant strengthened public health efforts to mitigate residential radon risks.”

ST. MALACHY + PRECIOUS BLOOD REQUESTS HELP FOR MOBILE PANTRY

Father Matthew Eyerman, Pastor of St. Malachy + Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2248 West Washington Boulevard, reminds everyone that his congregation hosts deliveries by the Greater Chicago Food Depository Mobile Pantry on the third Tuesday of each month. Volunteers unload the truck, bag the food, and distribute non-perishables, fruits, and vegetables to West Side residents. This food is available to anyone free of charge and without income verification. Each month, St. Malachy + Precious Blood serves more than 250 households representing well over 750 people, regardless of weather conditions.

In past years, the public has donated a pallet mover, tables, and bins. This year, Father Eyerman is requesting help in obtaining items to keep staff and clients dry and warm:

• $500 will install a retractable canopy

• $100 will purchase a pop-up canopy to keep food and volunteers dry

• $75 provides hand warmers for volunteers

• $50 provides single-use rain ponchos for clients & volunteers

For information about the monthly Mobile Pantry at St. Malachy + Precious Blood or making contributions to the program, call Father Eyerman at 312/733-1068 or 312/919-1610.

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD AND NEAR WEST YOUTH

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, is providing assessment, support, and referral services as part of its Community Violence Prevention Program (CVPP) Re-Entry Program for East Garfield and Near West youth and young adults being released from Department of Correction facilities.

Any East Garfield Park and Near West juvenile between the ages of 13-28 currently on parole from any Department of Correction facility, or returning to CVPP communities from Department of Correction facilities are eligible to participate in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church CVPP Re-entry Program. Interested persons should call Denise Harris at 773/826-3295.