Marillac Hosts Faith Leadership Breakfast on Teen Violence

January 29, 2010

On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, Marillac Social Center hosted a Faith Based Leadership Breakfast focused on the all too relevant issue of Teen Violence. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, the goal of the event was to connect leaders in the community in an effort to create working partnerships to curb violence.

Keynote speaker, Sheriff Tom Dart, spoke on the efforts he and his office have been making to improve the processes in place at the cook county jail and how agencies and community leaders can work with his office to develop rehabilitation and support systems for those being released from his custody and prevention activities to stop the inmate population from growing. In addition to Sheriff Dart, the panel assembled included Superintendent Jody Weis, Azim Ramelize, Assist. Deputy Commissioner Family & Support Services, Ruby Taylor of Taproots Inc. and two Hope Junior participants, Jalesa Haggard and Deshon McKnight, who have seen the first hand effects of violence in their community.

The day’s event provided suggestions, thought provoking questions and, ultimately, a timeline to create change. Only together will we truly be able to solve this extremely important issue, which will shape the youth of today……and the leaders of tomorrow.