NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

VOICE INTERN CREDITS SUCCESS TO JOB CORPS & CHANGE OF MIND

Paul Simon Chicago Job Corps Center Intern Juanita Washington discusses layout & composing of THE VOICE Newspaper with Art Director Jeff Potter. Juanita says the Job Corps has changed her way of thinking and changed her life. (Photo by Brad)

Juanita Washington is from Orlando, Florida. Currently, she is serving a Work Based Learning internship in Graphic Design at THE VOICE Newspapers to fulfill her graduation requirement for the Paul Simon Chicago Job Corps Center where she has been attending since July 24, 2012. She says, “I came to the Job Corps because I wanted to become a better person, get off the sofa, and get on my feet independently. To do this, I knew I had to go back to school,” Juanita admits.
“At the age of 17, in my last year, I dropped out of high school. I guess I thought school wasn’t for me, but I was wrong. I can admit that now,” she says. “I found out about this trade program that helps you get your diploma and I jumped to take advantage of it. I always knew I wanted to become an artist. My uncle, dad, and bother Anthony are all artists.
“I decided to study Graphic Design, but the course is only offered at one Job Corps Center in the country – Paul Simon Job Corps Center in Chicago.” Juanita explains, “I came here and have earned my high school diploma on Center in three months. I joined a lot of clubs to keep me busy and focused on my goals. I ran for Vice President of the campus and won with 108 out of 154 votes cast.”
Juanita says that the Job Corps has been a blessing for her because a lot of people don’t get a second chance. “I did, and I have learned that if you change the way you think, it will change your life. I can now say that I have become employable and I know, with a little more hard work and education, I will be successful!”

NATION OF ISLAM HOLDS RALLY FOR REPARATIONS AT WEST SIDE MOSQUE

Minister Ahmed Saadiq of Muhammad’s Mosque, 5836 W. Madison St., opens the Reparations Rally by welcoming supporters and introducing the issue. (Photo by Walter Tidwell)

 Kamm Howard argues in favor of keeping up the fight for reparations. (Photo by Walter Tidwell)

 Human Rights Activist Barbara Baker presents the arguments in favor of reparations for centuries of slavery, oppression & discrimination in the United States. (Photo by Walter Tidwell)

 Special guest speaker was Kamal Akram, Commissioner of the North American Reparations Task Force. (Photo by Walter Tidwell)

 Minister Ahmed & the Reparations Task Force at the rally held at Muhammad’s Mosque, 5836 W. Madison St. (Photo by Walter Tidwell)

LOYOLA LAW STUDENTS HELP VOICE PAPERBOYS WITH KICKS FOR AFRICA

At the recommendation of State Representative La Shawn K. Ford, Loyola Law School director of Public Service Programs Mary Bird brought six student volunteers to work with VOICE paperboys on their Kicks For Africa project on Saturday, March 23. The law student volunteers and VOICE youth workers washed the athletic shoes donated for shipment to teenagers in Africa, made sure they were in good condition and had mates.

Nicole Julius, who works with United African Organization, discussed with the teens the size and complexity of the African continent, the variety of nationalities, customs, languages, climates, and politics of African nations.

La’Mont Williams, a football star in high school on the South Side, went out with the paperboys and threw the football around. Diana Chen impressed the boys with her expertise at hurling the pigskin the length of the parking lot in a perfect spiral.

Then it was pizza time, thanks to Mary Bird and Loyola School of Law. The paperboys ate and discussed college and the law with the Loyola students.

Cleaning the Kicks: Loyola law students La’Mont Williams, Nicole Julius & Erin Antonik cleaning and deodorizing donated athletic shoes with a VOICE paperboy and Taj, project coordinator of Kicks For Africa. (Photo by Brad)

Loyola law students Erin Antonik, Diana Chen, Taj (coordinator of the Kicks For Africa project for THE VOICE), Nicole Julius, La’Mont Williams & Samantha Kronk, with shoes they cleaned & matched. The kids have collected about 75 pairs of shoes to send to African teens. (Photo by Brad)

VOICE paperboys & Loyola Law School students with the Kicks For Africa shoes being collected and sent to teenagers a continent away as a gesture of friendship. The Loyola students helped out during a Community Service Day suggested by Rep. La Shawn Ford. (Photo by Brad)

Cops SWEEP VIOLENT NARO-GANSTERS OFF STREETS OF CENTRAL AUSTIN

MarchWind Showcase

ALDERMAN GRAHAM RESPONDS TO CONCERNS ABOUT OPENING OF EASY CASH SOLUTIONS

I would like to thank the Galewood residents who came to my community meeting on Tuesday, February 19, to express their concerns about the proposed opening of Easy Cash solutions at 6434 West North Avenue. Specifically, residents worried about the negative aesthetic impact of another pawn shop along North Avenue, and whether such a business could possibly attract a criminal element.There were several factors I took into consideration when writing my letter in support of Austin Bank’s efforts to secure this business as a tenant. First, the space at 6434 W. North Avenue had been vacant for five years. Second, I learned that Easy Cash Solutions is a publicly-traded company that would bring up to 17 jobs to the community and provide employees health care benefits and 401(k) retirement plans. Third, after speaking to both the Chicago and Oak Park Police Departments, I learned that notwithstanding the existence of other pawn shops in the area, the Galewood community is one of their safest beats. This fact was corroborated publicly by the 25^th District Commander at the February meeting. Fourth, Cash America, a business similar to Easy Cash Solutions, has been located in Oak Park for 15 years with no incident reported to me by the Oak Park Police and has been fully compliant with Oak Park authorities.Nevertheless, I do recognize and take to heart the concerns raised in February’s meeting. As such, I have begun working with officials from Easy Cash Solutions to install specific safeguards before opening this business in accordance with the exact concerns raised by residents. At the meeting, I made a commitment to assemble a compliance committee composed of law enforcement, business, and community members to oversee its opening. I will announce the members of this new committee shortly.I am also in the process of developing a coalition of residents from Oak Park and Galewood to help develop the North Avenue corridor, as well as a broader group that will address the business corridors on Madison, Division, and Chicago Avenues. From these groups, I can elicit more ideas and suggestions for bringing in the kind of businesses we would all like to see.In the meantime, I thank the concerned residents again for their candor and pledge to work with residents across the 29^th Ward to ensure their input with respect to future business development.                   
Sincerely,
Alderman Deborah Graham 29^th Ward

KING’S KLOSET IS A ROYAL TREASURE TROVE OF UNIQUE & AFFORDABLE CHILDREN’S FASHIONS

Genetta’s friend, children’s artist Toni Cacciatore, has taken over a corner of King’s Kloset for a studio and creates portraits to order. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

On Oak Park’s quiet Harrison Street in what’s known as the Arts District of the village, is a little storefront shop you might not notice if you aren’t looking for it. But, your satisfaction makes the search for King’s Kloset well worth the effort.

Located at 144 Harrison Street, King’s Kloset is a unique children’s boutique opened last November 1 by Genetta Jackson. She founded her shop after discovering her passion through the joy she derived from seeking out affordable designer clothes for her son, King Jonathan Jackson, now 2 years old, for whom the store is named.

What began as an overextended shopping habit has turned into an enthusiastic business venture. Jackson has a knack for finding fun, trendy, upscale and even collectible pieces for kids. Recently, she came across a rare vintage Mickey Mouse sweater. Jackson’s eye for children’s fashion is an asset to other parents who love saving time and shopping locally for their little ones. Offering personal shopping services as an extension of her talents, Jackson understands the importance of great products that will last through children’s tough wear and laundering in the washing machine.

Conveniently located on the corner of Harrison and Lombard Streets, King’s Kloset is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and also by appointment. The boutique includes clothing, accessories, shoes, and small toys. Currently setting up her easel in King’s Kloset is artist Toni Cacciatore, who specializes in children’s portraits and personal illustrations, adding to the creative atmosphere of this charming child & parent shopping experience.

When asked about her hopes for the future, Jackson states that she would like to continue to find fashionable treasures to fill her boutique and is collaborating with other business owners to spread the profitability, stage fashion shows, and work with charities that support children’s causes. Jackson accepts items on consignment and scours special clothing sales for rarely-seen items. She enjoys taking orders from parents and grandparents looking for that perfect hat, sweater, dress, or outfit. 

With Easter a week away, stop in or call to see if Genetta has what you’re looking for or knows where to find it in the size your child needs. Be careful, through, if you stop in to browse King’s Kloset, you may forget what you were looking for and fall in love with what you find – just like Genetta Jackson did when she found it and put it in her shop!

Encouraging people to shop locally, Genetta emphasizes her motto: You never know what you will find in the King’s Kloset!

To check on up-to-date inventory, add the shop to instagram @ kingskloset, LIKE them on Facebook, or call 312/798-9049.