This week, the school bell will ring for the last time as some Chicago Public Schools students start their summer break.
This week, the school bell will ring for the last time as some Chicago Public Schools students start their summer break.
For some, it’s a time to look forward to.
But others are like South Side resident Sallie Mull. She fears for the lives of the children who live in her area.
The mother of two daughters told the Defender that the city needs to take an active role in ensuring that youngsters don’t have to endure another bloody summer.
“I’m in fear for them all the time,” Mull said. “I worry about them all the time.”
Mull, a longtime Auburn Gresham dweller said a heavier police presence would help curb some of the violence that over the years have shaken many urban communities.
“The police should be around more often,” said Mull who also was receptive to the idea of enrolling young people in summer programs or on sports teams to get them off the streets.
This week, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that 150 more police officers would be redeployed from other duties to the city’s streets.
On Friday, the mayor is expected to tell how the city will work to keep youngsters safe, even as at least three students were killed since Monday.
Chicago Park District spokeswoman Jessica Faulkner said parents, relatives and guardians should not hesitate to take advantage of the many summer activities and programs that are available throughout the area.
“We are are one of the largest employers of youth,” Faulkner said who also mentioned thousands of kids and teenagers will have the opportunity to sign up for various affordable summer camps. “It is wonderful that we are able to work with the city like we have always done to provide activities for our youth.”
Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard announced plans for Chicago’s faith community to be part of the “Safe Haven, Safe Summer” program, a partnership between CPS and 100 area churches. The program is expected to provide an estimated 5,000 young people with various programs and activities following the end of the regular school year.
“Keeping our students safe is one of our most vital priorities and the programming provided by Safe Haven, Safe Summer strives to provide our children with engaging activities and a create a creative outlet during the summer break,” Brizard said about the program that will run from June 27 to August 5.
The Safe Haven program is designed to help prepare children with life skills by providing mentoring and tutoring, officials said.
“At the same time, Safe Haven has kept thousands of students safe and off the streets during winter, spring and summer breaks and also after-school,” said Pastor Roosevelt Watkins of Bethlehem Star Church.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle went a step further in announcing One Summer Chicago, a new partnership between the city, county and the civic community to increase access to summer programs for young people across Chicago.
“Summer programs provide an incredible service to our children. They open their eyes to new worlds and they are safe havens from violence on the street,” said Emanuel.
“Working with the community and reducing crime are not conflicting goals. We need to build innovative solutions for our neighborhoods and our kids. And we need to start now.”
To keep kids safe, off the street and in engaging activities during this summer, the county has created thousands of additional summer program spots dedicated for Chicago’s youth through the sheriff’s office, Cook County Works and the Forest Preserve District.
“Public safety is one of the core functions of the County and is a critical area of collaboration with the City and communities throughout the region,” said Preckwinkle. “Increased coordination between the City, the County, foundations and community based organizations like this one will mean that we engage youth early to reduce violence and begin to rebuild communities.”
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender