OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
November 21, 2017
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1 transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Reboyras, Curtis and Cochran, a congratulatory resolution concerning the Chicago Police Department.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
J-t resolution
adopted by T\ie Qtfy QoUUCll
*f#» Qity of Qhicago, Illinois
, Aldermen Ariel Reboyras, Willie Cochran, Derrick G. Curtis and
resented by Mnynr Rnhm Fmnnupl : OH November 21. 2017
^QllCYBClS > The Members of this Chamber are pleased to congratulate Chicago Police Officer Jennifer Maddox (Star #14803) for creating Future Ties, a not-for-profit organization serving disadvantaged youth in Chicago; and for being selected as one of CNN's Top Ten Heroes of 2017 in recognition of her extraordinary work on behalf of her community; and
WHEREAS, A proud member of the Chicago :Police Department for more than twenty years, Officer: Maddox observed firsthand the plight of. children liying in disadvantaged neighborhoods;'and ' -' \ ■.\ •\ '., ■'. ';;
for young people in these neighborhoods, and wishing 'fe provide them with .the' same'
"sense, of belonging" and "feeling of being.-at; home, safe and at peace", that she
experienced as a child grdwjngyp on Chicago.'s South Side, Officer Maddox "launched
Future Ties in 2011, .while working during her pff^hours as a security officer at Parkway
Garden Homes, a lowrincdme apartment complex located at 65"1 Street and Martin
Luther .King Drive. Noticing that-the building's young residents often 'caused 'trouble
because they "were bored, Officer Maddox'-.c^ building 's ,manager .tp;gllow
her to use open space in the; basement, whbre she .could provide activities, for children
after school; and '' ;: ; ' ". ,.' ' ' ' ' v
WHEREAS, Future Ties began by offering after-school programming five days a week to 40 elementary school students. Today, Future Ties provides a safe space at Parkway Garden Homes to more than 100 children in kindergarten through 5(h grade. Adult volunteers, as well as young people from the community, serve as role models and tutors. The participating children, receive help with their homework; learn important life skills in workshops on topics ranging from nutrition to conflict resolution; arid have access to computers. Future Ties uses Scholastic's ReadAbout literacy program and project-based learning to supplement what the children are learning in school; and
WHEREAS, Future Ties recently extended its after-school program to middle school and high school students. The program for older students includes preparation for college, such as ACT and SAT tutoring, and job skills training. Officer Maddox hopes that one day Future Ties will be able to reach all of the 1,200 youths living in Parkway Garden Homes; and
WHEREAS, Future Ties provides summer programming for students. This year, Future Ties hosted a summer camp for 35 teenagers, ages 16 to 18. The teenagers participated in a table discussion with Officer Maddox to share their opinions about programs, workshops and field trips that would be most appealing and beneficial to them; obtained training and certification in CPR; -walked away with a-completed resume; received business attire suitable for future job interviews; attended, along with supportive community members, family and friends, a block party fashion show, where the teens had an opportunity to display their swag; and/ with the support of generous donors from across the City, they realized their dream of going to Great America, where a wonderful time was had by all. The teens are looking forward to attending Future Ties' summer camp next year as well; and ■
WHEREAS, Future Ties also sponsored a summer camp for over 100 younger sludents, ranging in age from 5 to 12 years, at Chicago's John Foster Dulles Elementary School. High school students served as counselors during the summer program, an arrangement, which provided-;.the .younger children 'With, positive .role, models, while*; .enabling the older children to'.agquire work experiehce and marketable job skills; and .:.
.,Wrr/iBREAS, Future Jies. a ddults and parents whojiye. df Parkway.Ggrden
\^omes^.'_QffenngusefuI...W6rkshdps, conducting .donrjestic violence assessments,; and providing'mehtorship pfogrammih^; and '.""'.; -"/V-;'''"v/;v /"".•':* .■ "'
WHEREAS, The valuable work being done by Future Ties would hot have been
possible without the vision and dedication of its founder, Chicago Police Officer Jennifer
Maddox; and ;- \
WHEREAS, Officer Maddox's achievements as found Ties, as well as
those of nine other truly remarkable persons, will be highlighted on "CNN Heroes; An All-Star Tribute'', a global broadcast ,event on CNN airing December 17th at 8:00 .p.m., to honor "every'day peopje doing extraordinary things to change the world." Each hero Will receive a $10,000 cash prize. One of. them Wilt be named "CNN Herd of the Year" and receive an additional $100,000 foVhis'or her cause, as well as training from the' Annenberg Foundation; now/ therefore ' •■ •
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-first day of November, 2017, do hereby commend Chicago Police Officer Jennifer Maddox for her many years of exceptional service as a Chicago police officer; for her tireless efforts, through Future Ties, to "help young people and families on the South Side of Chicago become the best version of themselves"; and for reminding all of us how one person can truly make a difference. We wish Officer Maddox the best of luck as she vies for the title of 2017 "CNN Hero of the Year"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Chicago Police Officer Jennifer. Maddox, and placed on permanent record in her personnel file, as a token of our appreciation and esteem.