A burgeoning community organization dedicated to improving the educational quality of children who live in the Woodlawn community seeks $25 million from President Barack Obama’s Promise Neighborhood program to carry out its mission.
More than one year ago, the pastor emeritus of Apostolic Church of God, Bishop Arthur Brazier began working with schools in his area and quickly became concerned with how little the community was doing to improve the academic standards in the schools.
He learned about the Harlem Children’s Zone and paid a visit to the organization that focuses on the three academic levels of a child’s life -- Baby College, Promise Academy and College Success Office – within a 96-square block area in Harlem, N.Y.
Brazier then drew from HCZ’s model and convened a coalition of community leaders, educators and parents to develop a plan to improve Woodlawn's 10,000 children’s lives from birth through college years and beyond. The Woodlawn Children’s Promise Zone was born, he said.
“The academic success of the children who live in the community doesn’t rest solely with the school system, the community needs to step up and take ownership as well,” Brazier, also chair of the Woodlawn New Communities Program, told the Defender.
The WCPZ is required to raise funds for the project before applying for the federal funds. It has received slightly more than $2 million in funding collectively from the University of Chicago, Chicago Board of Education, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Community Trust, according to Brazier.
The money invested thus far will provide support for academic enrichment, sports, arts programming and health initiatives. It will also be used to attract additional resources to increase summer learning opportunities for children in Woodlawn.
Nine public elementary schools and one charter school in Woodlawn will be the focal point of the organization, which will go after the federal funds later this year. The motivation behind the program that will help develop at least 20 Promise Neighborhoods around the country is the Harlem model.
“We shouldn't have as many young people with nothing to do this summer,” said Brazier.
Brazier said the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration was on board, but, made it clear the university didn't come to him, he asked them to get involved as a junior partner in the endeavor.
“I didn't want them to take over or be in charge, but just to help us because we needed a large educational institution. I asked Charles Payne, Ph.D, a professor at the university to join us. He's an expert in urban education and social service,” he said.
Payne, a Frank Hixon professor at the U. of C.'s School of Social Service Administration, said it takes an active community and the schools need to know the community supports them.
“We're in the process of looking at which of their (HCZ) programs we would be able to implement in Woodlawn. We've been getting feedback from our parents and others involved,” said Payne.
Nine interns from the university will be assigned to the schools in the zone, said Payne.
Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), whose ward largely encompasses Woodlawn, said the zone is a wonderful opportunity to create and maintain a healthy educational community, and help keep children in the neighborhood out of harm's way.
“My involvement in all of this really began in the early 1980s when I became a resident. I saw the promise in the community and I've been active ever since. I've been a block club president, on the board with New Communities Program and on the Local School Council, to name a few. It takes a committed community, especially the parents, to make programs like this a success. I will be involved as much as I can,” said the alderman.
The organization now awaits the start of the Request for Proposals process for the federal funds. If its proposal is accepted, the organization will receive $25 million over a five-year period, according to Brazier.
“We're ready whenever they say it's time to submit the application,” he said.
More than one year ago, the pastor emeritus of Apostolic Church of God, Bishop Arthur Brazier began working with schools in his area and quickly became concerned with how little the community was doing to improve the academic standards in the schools.
He learned about the Harlem Children’s Zone and paid a visit to the organization that focuses on the three academic levels of a child’s life -- Baby College, Promise Academy and College Success Office – within a 96-square block area in Harlem, N.Y.
Brazier then drew from HCZ’s model and convened a coalition of community leaders, educators and parents to develop a plan to improve Woodlawn's 10,000 children’s lives from birth through college years and beyond. The Woodlawn Children’s Promise Zone was born, he said.
“The academic success of the children who live in the community doesn’t rest solely with the school system, the community needs to step up and take ownership as well,” Brazier, also chair of the Woodlawn New Communities Program, told the Defender.
The WCPZ is required to raise funds for the project before applying for the federal funds. It has received slightly more than $2 million in funding collectively from the University of Chicago, Chicago Board of Education, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Community Trust, according to Brazier.
The money invested thus far will provide support for academic enrichment, sports, arts programming and health initiatives. It will also be used to attract additional resources to increase summer learning opportunities for children in Woodlawn.
Nine public elementary schools and one charter school in Woodlawn will be the focal point of the organization, which will go after the federal funds later this year. The motivation behind the program that will help develop at least 20 Promise Neighborhoods around the country is the Harlem model.
“We shouldn't have as many young people with nothing to do this summer,” said Brazier.
Brazier said the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration was on board, but, made it clear the university didn't come to him, he asked them to get involved as a junior partner in the endeavor.
“I didn't want them to take over or be in charge, but just to help us because we needed a large educational institution. I asked Charles Payne, Ph.D, a professor at the university to join us. He's an expert in urban education and social service,” he said.
Payne, a Frank Hixon professor at the U. of C.'s School of Social Service Administration, said it takes an active community and the schools need to know the community supports them.
“We're in the process of looking at which of their (HCZ) programs we would be able to implement in Woodlawn. We've been getting feedback from our parents and others involved,” said Payne.
Nine interns from the university will be assigned to the schools in the zone, said Payne.
Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), whose ward largely encompasses Woodlawn, said the zone is a wonderful opportunity to create and maintain a healthy educational community, and help keep children in the neighborhood out of harm's way.
“My involvement in all of this really began in the early 1980s when I became a resident. I saw the promise in the community and I've been active ever since. I've been a block club president, on the board with New Communities Program and on the Local School Council, to name a few. It takes a committed community, especially the parents, to make programs like this a success. I will be involved as much as I can,” said the alderman.
The organization now awaits the start of the Request for Proposals process for the federal funds. If its proposal is accepted, the organization will receive $25 million over a five-year period, according to Brazier.
“We're ready whenever they say it's time to submit the application,” he said.
