"We Kane, We Shaw, We Crawford"

How ‘bout those Chicago Blackhawks last night! *Cheering* Don’t mind the title, I was on twitter the night the Chicago Blackhawks claimed the title, Stanley Cup Champions, and saw someone posted a tweet as in the title. I thought it was the perfect phrase for this blog, if you’re out there reading this and you came up with that phrase, I give you credit. I mean, it is the best phrase I’ve seen yet. “We Kane, We Shaw, We Crawford”, talk about creative. I hope they make t-shirts out of these.

Anyway, let’s start talking about how proud we are of our Chicago Blackhawks. After three long years of hard-work and drive, the Blackhawks takes the Stanley Cup again. That’s right, I said it, again! I mean the Boston Bruins have done a tremendous job last night and let me tell you, they are not sore losers, that’s for sure. Even though they did not take home the cup last night, let us take a moment of silence and honor them because it was a great game and they did not go without a fight. Now, let us take a moment of silence and honor the Chicago Blackhawks. Who am I kidding, cheer on my friends, cheer on! The Blackhawks really did their thing last night. They made us all proud and I am sure they are overly excited right now. I’m most definitely sure that they couldn’t have done it without their drive and ambition, their awesome coach, and let’s not forget the amazing fans. I mean Chicago has the best supporters in North America, do you not agree?

The greatest thing about Chicago is our pride. It’s times like these where we value life. As you can see, last night was a perfect time for everyone to come together and cheer for that one team. Many yells were yelled, many friends were made, but at the end of the day, Chicago came together for one night. We came together and supported our team. You see how support really has an effect on the game. I mean WOW! For a minute last night, I really did think that the Boston Bruins were going to be our Stanley Cup Champions, but my goodness did the Blackhawks work. At the end of the day, one player doesn’t make a team; it takes a team to play the game and a team to win. Chicago made one huge team last night and that included the fans, supporters, the coach and the actual Chicago Blackhawks team.

I remember watching the news last night and seeing a lot of fans who were very young. A lot of young boys were so proud to see their team win the championship. When you see that, you can tell how much support affects the young children. The Blackhawks gave it their all last night and they showed it to many young boys and girls. They made way for the younger generation. They show them that dreams do come true, but it takes time, dedication, effort and support.  I know the Blackhawks love the kids and want to set a great path for them. It really makes me proud to see how there are good people out there looking ahead for the future of the children. It’s not about Kane or Crawford or the Blackhawks team, it’s all about the future. If the Blackhawks keeps this up, the future is looking mighty nice right now.

As we honor the Chicago Blackhawks for a season’s worth of ambition and triumph, let us not forget the future. So celebrate and have fun at the Blackhawks parade on Friday, but remember your jobs, your family and your life because your decisions contribute to your future.

Congrats Chicago Blackhawks! We look forward to more Stanley Cup Championships!

Let's Prevent Violence

It seems as if the headlines have been filled with school shootings and the need for new gun control laws lately. The nation was filled with sadness on December 14th after hearing the devastating news of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Mass killings hold devastating emotions behind them, but I think these emotions were intensified due to the young age of the 20 students, along with six school officials, shot in Newtown, Connecticut. Our nation even rallied to raise $8.5 million for the Sandy Hook School Support Foundation. Yet, since the shooting, we have seen more gun violence. The Taft Union School in California has been another headline depicting a teen’s desire to murder his fellow classmates. Every time I hear about a shooting, especially among youth, I am saddened.  Yet, the shootings all make me wonder the same thing, is this an issue of gun policies or deeper? Are the shootings a result of much deeper issues in our modern day youth, or is it simply too easy to bring a gun to school?

 These questions led me to investigate the topic more. In my investigation, I have found one thing to stand out more than others. Most of the articles based on school shootings and gun policies are opinion based. Some say these killings wouldn’t occur if guns were not accessible, others say the problem isn’t a matter of violence, but of mental health. All of the articles held points I can support whole heartedly, so it led me to this thought; why does the cause have to be directly blamed on one thing? As Americans, we like to do things quickly and efficiently, and in many cases, that is the best way. In a contrast, dealing with the human mind is not black and white. I do not believe we can solve the violence issues we have seen by simply increasing our restrictions on gun laws, or by implementing more mental health support. The only way to protect our people is to take action on a broad range of potential causes. These actions can be made with government support, an increase in prevention programs, but also by the people. In working for a business which tutors and mentors youth in underprivileged environments, I believe we can have just as much of an impact on a student who may be tempted by violence as any law. By supporting our students, preventing bullying, enhancing student participation, and becoming role models for students, we can help to provide an environment where no one feels a need to use violence.

I am not, by any means, suggesting there be no government control on issues such as gun policies. But why wait for the laws to change when we can start the change today? As citizens of an amazing country which allows us to express ourselves, we are given the power to change social issues if we are willing to work for it. But, much like many of the articles I have read on this topic, these are simply my beliefs. Either way, I am sure we all hope to see less violence in the future.

We want to know what our readers are thinking, so, please, let us know how you feel you can attribute to the issues of school violence!

27th Ward Fundraising Event

On Thursday, November 6^th I had the honor of participating in the 27^th Ward Fundraising Event at the Billy Goat Tavern located here, in Chicago. I met a lot of great leaders and life-changing people from that District and I really learned a lot from them. It was a great opportunity to see how much hard work pays off and to see the great projects that these people come together and work to get it done. Beyond the fact of being able to participate in this event, it was a great pleasure meeting Jesse White. That’s right, I said it! I met the Secretary of State. Who would’ve thought that I would’ve met Jesse White, because I sure didn’t.  For many of you who do not know him, he is not only a serious and caring man, but he is just very. He knows how to light up a room with his jokes.

Besides being Star Struck by meeting Jesse White, I had the opportunity of taking some pictures with him and talking about Femi Memorial Outreach Center. I shared with him the great progress that Femi Memorial Outreach Center has made from the time I started working for this organization four years ago. I shared with him the great opportunities that Femi Memorial Outreach Center offers not only to children within various communities, but to University students, as well. I believe that Femi Memorial Outreach Center works to educate and working with these children over the past three and a half years, allowed me to educate myself as well. I was honored in sharing with Jesse White the hard work that Femi Memorial Outreach Center has done and seeing the hard work pay off every single day through the children we provide help to in various communities of the North, West and South sides of Chicago. Although Jesse White and I spoke briefly about Femi Memorial Outreach Center, seeing the look on his face and how amazed he was in the things this organization has done really reminded me of how proud I am to be a part of positive growth and change. He was so amazed that he wanted to help out in any way he can, he let me know that if the organization needed anything, Femi Memorial Outreach Center should contact him.

Not only did I share information about Femi Memorial Outreach Center to Jesse White, but I had the great opportunity of sharing it with some Attorneys and Leaders of the 27^th Ward. They, too, seem delighted with all the hard work that Femi Memorial Outreach Center has done and accomplished. They were truly amazed to see such an organization stand strong to this very day and expanding throughout the Chicago land area. The excitement of talking about Femi Memorial Outreach Center has spread and Attorneys there were recruiting their friends to hear what I had to say. To hear them say, “Wow”, made me even more proud of being a part of Femi Memorial Outreach Center. With that being said, I did also have a lot of fun and shared a lot of laughs with some of the great leaders of Chicago. I enjoyed eating Billy Goat Tavern’s burgers for the very first time and meeting new people. An opportunity like this one couldn’t be surpassed and I am so glad that I was able to share the many great things Femi Memorial Outreach Center has accomplished throughout my years working for this organization and meeting new people, including The Jesse White. I am proud to be a part of Femi Memorial Outreach Center and I will always speak of it proudly.

Here are some pictures from the night, I know they are blurry, but we want to share the experience with our awesome readers. Next time, we will bring a better camera!

Why You Should Get Involved!

Schools provide many benefits for their students. The academic curriculum is only the beginning in the importance of attending school. Some of the best advice I have ever received about school is to get involved. Getting involved in extracurricular activities truly strengthens a student’s ability to grow on a mental, academic, and personal scale. Extracurricular activities give you a chance to explore a creative, physical, social, or career related side to yourself. You are given a chance to shine outside of the classroom. The variety of extracurricular activities ranges from varsity to club sports, competitive to just-for-fun clubs, internships, and much more. I personally believe that becoming involved in activities outside of the classroom has given me a chance to put my academic work to use. I joined clubs in my career field, which gave me a chance to see my lessons play out in the real world. I was able to join cheerleading at a young age, which formed my social skills far beyond what my shy personally would have been capable to achieve solely in the classroom. Aside from my personal experiences in joining extracurricular activities, it has been proven that the additional involvement is necessary for students. Healthykids.org has an informative article stating many benefits including the social expansion, physical gains, and decrease in potential for forming bad habits.

So, now that you know the benefits you might be wondering how you can get involved, or get your child involved, in an extracurricular activity? We believe you should find a school-based activity that fits the passions and needs of yourself or your student. There are numerous amounts of national clubs branched at school’s around the nation along with programs unique to each school. Contact your school and sign up for Newsletters to keep updated on any new opportunities. Most importantly, if you are not finding the extra commitment to be helpful, do not be afraid to keep trying. It is common for students to try many different clubs before sticking to one; it is part of the growing experience involved in after-school activities.

Femi Memorial Outreach is an academic based after-school program. We provide our students with a chance to get extra help on their homework in a positive environment. Our tutors are educated and experienced students from Loyola University Chicago, Dominican University, and the University of Chicago. Our twelve locations are spread throughout the North, West, and South sides of Chicago in order to accommodate as many students as possible. We hope to empower students to see their own potential inside and outside of the classroom. Our students come from at-risk and immigrant backgrounds. This provides students for a chance to get the help they need and make friends who may have similar situations as they do. Although we are academically based, our program strives to turn the lives of our students around.

Femi Outreach is just one example of the many great extracurricular activities available to students around Chicago. We wish that each student will take action and get involved in something positive and fun! 

Tutor Mentor Everybody's Business

 Whether it is a public school, charter school, magnet school or private school, everyone is entitled to receive an education in America. Some would argue that the American education system can be ranked as the best in the world. There are countless stories of individuals who strive to achieve the American dream, to live in this great land of opportunity, and to receive an education.  Individuals and families have left behind everything they have ever known and have even sacrificed their lives to come to America for a chance to improve their lives. Many people have had the privilege to be a graduate from an esteemed high school, college, or another higher education institution.  Despite this, our education system is not void of problems.

While everyone in America has the right to receive an education, not everyone receives quality education.  Many critics have suggested that almost half of the American population has not graduated from high school. Hundreds of thousands of children are dropping out of high school every year. Teachers are forced to teach students in overcrowded classrooms with little resources. Some students attend neighborhood public schools with no special education classes, no ESL classes or even a library. Even with the No Child Left Behind Act in place, a policy meant to improve public schools and hold school officials accountable for school performance, many students are failing to meet or exceed academic standards.  Due to poor academic performance, many public schools are dealing with the reality of being closed down.

Nationally, there is the sentiment that the children are the future of America. You may be asking yourself, if children are not excelling academically in schools, what can be done? What can I as an individual, parent, guardian, family member, business owner, or concerned citizen do to help children across America? The answer is that everyone can do something as simple as donating a small sum of money to a community organization that provides educational enrichment services to something as great as starting your own program.  You can volunteer at a nearby organization to be a tutor or mentor. You can get more involved with your school district by attending meetings or looking at your neighborhood school’s annual report card.  Whether it is one hour of your time or five dollars of your money, anything you do can make a difference in some child’s life.  As a society, we must continue to take a vested interest in the education of children, the future of America.

I will leave you with this short metaphor: Picture everyone as a passenger on a boat. The person steering the boat announces that there is a hole that is letting water in the boat. What would you do? Would you save yourself? Would you try your best to stop the boat from sinking? Would you let the boat sink?