When a child is safe...everyone is S.A.F.E.
The mission of S.A.F.E. is to improve the community, by promoting the social, emotional and economic development of residents. S.A.F.E. empowers children and families by enabling them to make positive, life enriching choices. The ultimate goal of S.A.F.E. is the healthy, and safe development of all of its children.
3/7/2011- Teen Alternative Network Work Meeting 6:00pm
4/9/2011- S.A.F.E. 20th Year Anniversary Celebration – 6:00pm – 10:00pm
4/29/2011- Registration for S.A.F.E. summer camp opens
S.A.F.E.
3143 W. Douglas Blvd. Chicago, IL 60623 ST. AGATHA FAMILY EMPOWERMENT (773) 522-1354
In 1991, St. Agatha Family Empowerment (S.A.F.E.) was organized by North Lawndale Community residents to create a strong network of programs that promote community development. The projects provide educational enhancement, self-esteem enrichment and leadership skills development, while providing job training and part-time employment for youth and adults. S.A.F.E. provides children and youth a safe haven and positive alternatives to drugs, gangs, teen pregnancy and violence.
North Lawndale is a neighborhood that is plagued by gangs, drugs and violence. It is a community where the drug trade is the number one youth employer, and S.A.F.E. is number two. For every teen S.A.F.E. enrolls in the Teen Alternative Network, three are denied entry due to limited program resources. The few legal jobs available to area youth provide minimum wage and minimum training. Yet, these statistics only tell part of the story. Although the valley can be dark, bleak and frightening, we continue to journey on for the many promising young people who are the value in the valley. S.A.F.E. is changing lives, child-by-child and family-by-family.
Arts & Crafts
Homework Assistance
Reading & Math Labs
African Dance & Drums
Music Instruction & Choir
Family Events
Sports & Recreation
Life Skills Training
Tutoring/Mentoring
Drama & Poetry
Computer Skills
The S.A.F.E. program currently operates five days a week during the academic year from the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., there are more than 150 young people involved in the program. According to Justice Department studies these hours are the most dangerous time periods for youth in the inner city. S.A.F.E. also offers a Saturday Morning Mentor/Tutoring Program to provide academic assistance and self-esteem enrichment to children in 1st through 12th grade. It runs during the academic year from October through May and operates from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The mentors/volunteers come from various locations throughout the city to provide consistent one on one educational enhancement and mentoring. S.A.F.E. has approximately 50 volunteers that assist with the program.
S.A.F.E. employs a staff of 4 full-time and 20 part-time professionals that provide supervisory tasks and direct assistance to the children and youth participants in the program. They also take on community outreach efforts so that more children can benefit from the programs offered.
Willie Bobbitt – Executive Director Gladys Roman – Assistant Director Jennifer Arter – Program Director
Nicole Carlock - Supervisor Dakessian Harris - Supervisor Roshawnda Hughes - Supervisor
Mary Ann McLaurin – Admin. Asst./KidsCafe Coordinator Clara Roman - Supervisor
Kiwauna Conwell
Kids Hope United
Case Manager II
Rodney Davis
Board Vice-President
Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA)
Youth Prevention Specialist
Lawrence Dowling
St. Agatha Parish
Pastor
Herman DuBose, Jr.
Manley Career Academy
Counselor
Beryl Guy
Chicago Public Schools
Consultant - Principal/Retired
Brian Hughes
Schiff Hardin
Attorney
Nichole Tillman
ComEd
Manager of Technical Services
Cathy Walz
Board Secretary
Archdiocese of Chicago
Catechetical Coordinator & Family Catechesis
Brandon Warner
Board President
Karel-Gordon & Associates
Actuary
Diamond Webster
Teen Peer Council
President
The By-Laws of S.A.F.E. state that, “To the extent possible St. Agatha Family Empowerment shall strive to ensure that the composition of the Board of Directors reflects a cross-section of the community.” Therefore, at least 50% of the Directors must live, work or worship in North Lawndale.
St. Agatha Family Empowerment (S.A.F.E.)
3147 W. Douglas Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60623
773-522-1354
773-522-1806 (f)
faceofsafe_hotmail.com
On behalf of the children and families of St. Agatha Family Empowerment (S.A.F.E.), we are asking you to
continue to help us “strive for excellence” by becoming a companion on a S.A.F.E. journey into the lives of
at-risk, inner-city African American youth.
We are not asking you to make a difference; we are asking you to be the difference for the children in our
community who need a program like S.A.F.E. as an island of support, safety, growth and affirmation. In the
midst of this politically charged year and the obvious effects that the economy has had on all people, we need
people like you to take a greater role in helping those who are most affected by the economic downturn.
