PATHFINDERS PREVENTION EDUCATION FUND HOSTS FESTIVE OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW OFFICE

Brenetta Howell Barrett, CEO of Pathfinders Prevention Education Fund, hosted an Open House introducing the organization’s new office at 1140 North Lamon Avenue in the Bethel Small Business Center. Dr. Terry Mason, Chief Medical Officer for the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, was the special guest speaker. He delivered a dire warning for those dependent upon the county for medical care. Dr. Mason predicted that if President Obama’s national healthcare act is overturned by the Supreme Court or repealed by Congress, it would doom the Cook County hospitals and clinics because there would not be sufficient money to operate them and provide medical care to the poor and uninsured. Dr. Mason encouraged young people attending the Open House to consider careers in medicine and healthcare despite the cost of college and the problems facing the profession. He also urged them to strive for their dreams and not to let anyone deter them from achieving their goals. Artists Patrick Thompson and Darrell Spicy presented a mini-gallery of fine art in the outer hallway. They were joined by samples from the quilt project of the Lawndale Alliance, headed by Valerie Leonard, who also served as MC for the event. Achievement awards were presented to Dr. Mason, Prentiss Jackson, and Joyce Wade. Brenetta Howell Barrett thanked Pathfinders board members and volunteers for their hard work, including: Linda Kay Goodine, Dr. Patricia R. Bush, Dr. Susan Rogers, Bernard Clay, Darrell Gordon, Sam Houston, Dr. Richard Stephenson, Maeomia Oden, Matthew Jackson, Reginald Mister, and Dorothy Finley. Pathfinders provides HIV, AIDS, and sexually transmitted disease information through lectures, workshops, interactive roundtables, and literature tables for adults and youth. It serves the Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, West Humboldt Park, Near West Side, West Haven, and west suburban communities. To schedule a presentation and to obtain information, call 773/287-5523.

News You Can Use From 24th Ward Alderman Michael D. Chandler

Expungement Summit
Sponsored By Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown
24th Alderman Michael D. Chandler is strongly encouraging all eligible ex-offenders to attend the upcoming Adult & Juvenile Expungement Summit sponsored by Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown to be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Apostolic Church of God, located at 6320 S. Dorchester Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Registration for the summit begins at 8:30 a.m and will conclude at 6:00 p.m.
The summit is focused on providing services such as free legal services, application and filing assistance to ex-offenders who seek to have prior adult or juvenile felony or misdemeanor offenses expunged or sealed. Information will also be provided for clemency and certificate information.         Other on-site information regarding child support, identity theft protection, and job training, housing and other community services resources will also be available.
“I am proud to work with Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown and other local elective officials, community, legal and social service organizations throughout the city in this effort, stated Alderman Chandler. “We need to provide every resource we can to reintegrate ex-offenders back into our communities in a positive, productive and effective manner. This expungement summit and the information that will be provided to ex-offenders at this activity is a significant step in achieving this goal.”
    Information that ex-offenders need to have with them for assistance at the summit is the following: 1) Drug Test Results needed for persons with felony drug convictions. Test should be taken before June 1st so results can be available for June 2nd summit; 2) Copy of Adult Rap Sheet; 3) Copy of Juvenile Rap Sheet; and 4) For Suburban Cases, obtain copy of criminal case information from the local police agency where your arrest occurred by requesting a Right to Access and Review.
    Costs of Fees for depositions and expungement/sealing filings that can be completed at the Summit include: 1) Adult Certified Dispositions ($9.00 per case); 2) Adult Expungement/Sealing & Illinois State Police Fee ($120.00) per petition; and 3) Juvenile Expungement & Illinois State Police Fee ($124.00) per petition.”
Stop in at our Constituent Service Office, 1158 South Keeler Avenue, or call 773/533-2400.

Voise Academy Awards

 Aaryn Finklea, 19, a senior at VOISE Academy in the Austin Multiplex, has been awarded a Gates Scholarship paying all expenses for his undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies. Only 20 Gates full-ride scholarships are awarded in each state annually. Aaryn is attending Columbia College in the fall, studying Film & Digital Media Production. He says he wants to be a Hollywood moviemaker. He carries a 3.6 unweighted GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Aaryn is a graduate of Milton Brunson Math & Science Specialty School. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

Andre Goins is a sophomore at VOISE Academy and is a member of the Varsity Debate Team. This is his second year as a debater. He won 4 team awards this season and several personal speaking awards. Andre will attend a high school debate camp in Indiana for a week this summer and will attend the Chicago Debate League Camp for Chicago Public School debaters. Robert Wysocki is the VOISE Debate Coach. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

Chaquille Gales, 17, a senior at VOISE Academy, received a $1,000 scholarship from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He is attending Southern Illinois University in the fall, majoring in Business Administration. He carries a 3.4 unweighted GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Chaquille wants to be an entrepreneur working in real estate. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

2012 Junior Honor Society

ST. CATHERINE-ST. LUCY STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

Five 7th grade students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Chapter at St. Catherine-St. Lucy School, 27 Washington Boulevard, Oak Park, at a ceremony in the parish church before relatives, teachers, and fellow students. St. Catherine-St. Lucy’s fourth National Junior Honor Society inductees are: Nia Singleton, K’lyn Glass, Iman Randle, Akeelah Taylor, and Jamari Taylor. They were pinned and welcomed into the society by last year’s inductees Kristopher Boyce, Shakari Brown, D’eana Fenn, Tio Hardiman, and Jaylon Mitchell. The National Junior Honor Society was founded more than 80 years ago to recognize young men and women for being good students and responsible citizens. Each member is required to maintain a B average and be on the school Honor Roll. They also must perform a variety of volunteer services at their school and in the community. Mrs. Sharon Leamy is the National Junior Honor Society Chapter Moderator. Sister Marion Cypser, RSM, is Principal of St. Catherine-St. Lucy School. Although located in Oak Park, more than 90% of St. Catherine-St. Lucy students reside in Chicago. For information on admission requirements, course offerings, and financial aid at St. Catherine-St. Lucy School, call 708/386-5286.