Recent Events and Photos
West Pullman Youth Plant Community Garden at Summer Day Camp
June 21 – July 2, 2010
Caption: Kids at The Salvation Army Summer Day Camp
take a break from planting the community garden.
For two weeks in June, more than 60 elementary school students from Higgins Community
Academy took part in The Salvation Army’s Summer Day Camp.
For the third summer in a row, kids in grades 4 through 7 built and planted a community garden from the ground up and took part in an array of fun activities, including music, softball, reading, art and field trips to the Field Museum and Sandridge Nature Preserve. Students will continue to tend the garden throughout the summer. At the end of the growing season, the campers will sell their produce at the third annual farmer’s market this fall.
 |
 |
Kids Get Rare Opportunity to Learn Golf through ‘Hook a Kid on Golf’ Program
June 21 – July 2, 2010
Caption: Higgins Community Academy student Sky Armistead
at The Salvation Army Sports Day Camp.
Kids at the Salvation Army summer camp also got a rare chance to hit the links, through the Hook a Kid on Golf program that teaches kids golf skills, the rules of the game and the history of golf. Hook a Kid on Golf was generously funded by Jerry Rich of Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois and the USGA. Mark Rasar, CPS teacher and former golf coach of Lincoln Park High School’s city championship team, taught the basics of golf to more than 30 campers. Kids had the opportunity to play on several Chicago area golf courses, and were given their own set of golf clubs at the end of the camp.
“These kids are very good. We have one girl especially, her name is Sky, who is 10 and better than most high school freshman, and she’s only been playing for a week and a half,” said Mark. “If she sticks with golf, she’ll go far in high school and has a good shot at getting a college scholarship to play as well.”
“I think golf is fun, because on the trips, they teach what each club is called and how to play with the drivers,” said Tiara, 10.
The Salvation Army partners with the Illinois Kids Golf Foundation to bring the renowned
Hook a Kid on Golf, SNAG and First Tee school programs to Higgins Community Academy.
In addition to teaching kids the fundamentals of golf, these programs provide access to golf learning facilities and experiences that help kids to develop life enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. The future Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community
Center complex will expand these opportunities with its outdoor golf training center, driving ranges and putting greens.
A field trip to the Burnham Woods Golf Course through The Salvation Army’s Hook a Kid on
Golf program was featured in the July 7 edition of the Chicago Defender. Click here to view the coverage on the Chicago Defender’s web site.
 |
 |
The Salvation Army and South Side community demonstrate their commitment to end violence at Marshfield Plaza Peace Rally
June 5, 2010
Caption: Vinnesha Johnson, 10, and Mayor Richard M. Daley at the Marshfield Plaza Shopping Center Peace Rally on June 5.
The Salvation Army, Alderman Carrie Austin, Primestore and other South Side community organizations celebrated the grand opening of the Marshfield Plaza Shopping Center, located at 119th and Marshfield, on Saturday, June 5. The day-long event included a peace rally, gospel concert, youth activities and a carnival. Mayor Daley and other political figures and church leaders were on hand to show their support for peace on the South Side. The Marshfield Plaza is across the street from the site of the future Kroc Center.
The Marshfield Plaza Shopping Center contains businesses such as Target, Jewel, Marshalls,
Burlington Coat Factory, LA Fitness and Petco in an effort to revitalize the economy in Chicago’s South Side and provide residents with much needed retail shopping options and employment opportunities. The Peace Rally was a celebration of the completion of this project and the commitment of Chicago’s citizens to encourage the elimination of violence in our neighborhoods.
The Salvation Army coordinated the entertainment for the day, providing a Gospel Stage featuring a variety of church choirs and local artists who sang, danced and performed, including
Tony Tidwell, Lemont Davis, Devine Revelation and The Salvation Army Singing Company.
For more than three years, The Salvation Army has collaborated with West Pullman community organizations and families to develop positive programs for area youth, including educational, arts and sports activities designed to enrich the mind, body and spirit. The Army also gave out more than 400 bags of popcorn.
Caption: Alderman Carrie Austin, center, poses with The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center Singing Corp.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Let the Music Begin!
June 3, 2010
By Vernon Lawson, Salvation Army Director of Music and Fine Arts
Caption: Let the Music Begin participants at Songhai Learning Institute performed the school’s first musical performance in more than 10 years.
On Thursday, June 3, more than 50 students in The Salvation Army’s Let the Music Begin program performed for their peers and parents at two Chicago Public Schools in the West Pullman community, Higgins Community Academy and Songhai Learning Institute.
The program at Higgins included keyboard soloists, two bands and the return of the Higgins drum line. Most of the 35+ students have been involved in the fine arts program since its inception three years ago and have become involved in Salvation Army summer camps and regional bands. Highlights of the program included an original composition by the drum line entitled “Dirty Sticks” and a speech performance by Diamond Gant, 3rd place winner in the Chicago Public Schools regional speech contest. Diamond Gant performed with the Higgins band for three years and is very active in many clubs and extracurricular activities. The program concluded with the Higgins Advanced Band, accompanied by Higgins faculty member Ms. Cooper, leading the audience in their rendition of “We Shall Overcome”. As has become
the tradition at Higgins, the audience was very appreciative of the performers’ efforts.
Later in the day, students from Songhai Learning Institute, blocks away from neighboring Fenger High School, performed for their peers and parents at their own recital. Unlike Higgins, which now has an established tradition of regular performances and a track record of musical excellence, the recital at Songhai was the first of its kind in close to a decade. The young musicians performed solos on keyboard, trumpet, trombone and percussion, in addition to group selections by the band and percussion class. As the musicians performed, their principal, Mrs. Tillman was brought to tears. When asked about the recital, the teary eyed Mrs. Tillman replied, “This is the first time we’ve had music in this school since 2003, I just can’t thank The Salvation Army enough for the opportunity they have given these young people.” It was truly a special moment for the young people and the adults who witnessed the special event.
At the conclusion of the recital, students gathered for photos and made last minute revisions to their music camp applications. As is the case for Higgins, most of the students will attend summer music camp at Camp Wonderland.
The Salvation Army continues to meet the needs of the community and fill a much needed gap left by reduced budgets. More importantly, The Salvation Army is providing opportunities to the young people of the West Pullman community, making a difference one student, one family at a time.
The Let the Music Begin program is under the direction of Mr. Vernon Lawson, Director of Music and Fine Arts for the Metropolitan Division. If you would like to learn more or to become a supporter of the program, please visit sametromusic.org or contact Mr. Lawson at 773.205.3509.
 |
 |
The Salvation Army Honors 45 Sunbeams and Girl Guards at Court of Awards Ceremony
May 20, 2010
The Salvation Army as they honored 45 Sunbeams and Girl Guards at the third annual
Court of Awards Ceremony at Higgins Community Academy on Thursday, May 20. The Salvation Army Sunbeams and Girl Guards are fun-filled, character-building programs that help elementary school children develop socially, mentally and spiritually. The girls received emblems in cooking, dance and first aid.
 |
 |
Kids and Parents are Models for a Day at The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center Fashion Show
April 24, 2010
Caption: Andrea Stamps, 9, of West Pullman strikes a pose on the runway at The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center Fundraiser and Fashion Show on April 24.
More than 14 kids and parents who participate in Kroc Center programs walked the runway at The Salvation Army’s 21st annual Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) Fundraiser and Fashion Show on April 24. This year marks the first time that residents from West Pullman and the Kroc Corps have participated in the event.
Models chose their own clothing from the large selection of donated items at the ARC thrift store with the help of Marsha Dowd, author of the book Appearances: In the Mirror and in the Mind’s Eye. A member of The Salvation Army William Booth Society, Dowd frequently mentors Kroc Center girls and women on the importance of self esteem and dressing for success.
“The fashion show was fun because I got to model in front of a lot of people and try on different clothes,” Andrea Stamps, 9, said. Her sister, Angelique, 10, adds, “It was good because we were able to get our books signed by Marsha Dowd.”
Thrown by the ARC advisory council, the day-long fundraiser also sold a selection of rare and brilliant jewelry donated to ARC thrift stores and goods generously contributed by the International Home and Housewares Show.
All proceeds benefited the Chicago ARC which provides housing, clothing, medical attention and education to men and women seeking help for a drug or alcohol addiction.
 |
 |
 |
The Salvation Army Kroc Center holds Retreats for Women and Families
Women’s Camp: April 17-18
Family Bridges : April 30 – May 1
Caption: Kroc Center Administrator Major Darlene Harvey, far right, with members of the Kroc Corps Women’s Ministry at the 1020 Salvation Army Divisional Women’s Retreat.
This spring, the Kroc Corps helped organize the Family Bridges and Women’s Retreats at The Salvation Army’s Camp Wonderland in southern Wisconsin. The retreats brought together diverse people from all walks of life for an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet women and families from other Salvation Army Corps and from across Chicago.
The Family Bridges Retreat, held April 30 to May 1, brought together families from across Chicago to work on increasing relationship-building skills and communication. The Kroc Center sent seven families, more than 30 individuals, to the retreat. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Family Bridges teaches couples, individuals, families and high school students how to create and maintain healthy, enriching relationships.
Family Bridges is a partnership of more than 25 Chicago area organizations, including The Salvation Army. “It’s important for us to take time for our family relationships and look at ways we can improve and work together,” said Kroc Center Administrator Major Darlene Harvey. “Families are under a lot of pressure in the current economy, especially the families the Kroc Center will serve, and many don’t have an opportunity to get the help they need.”
Close to 500 women from across the Midwest, including 17 from the Kroc Corps, attended
The Salvation Army Divisional Women’s Retreat, held April 17-18. Sponsored by the Central
Territory’s Women’s Ministry, the theme of the retreat was ‘Amazing Grace’. The weekend featured Bible studies and workshops on topics including parenting, life management and leadership. This year was the second time women from the Kroc Center attended the retreat.
Kroc Center Women’s Ministries Secretary Sherry Johnson led a workshop titled, ‘The 10
Best Decisions a Woman Can Make.’
 |
 |
 |
Site Preparation Underway for
the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
Spring/Summer 2010
Caption: From left to right, Scot Ferguson, Antunovich and Associates; Bradley Johnson, W.E. O’Neil; Zac Clayton, City of Chicago Environment Department; Mark Appell; International Facilities Group; Sergeant Major Vincent Johnson, Salvation Army; Ken Kastman, URS Corporation Environmental Consultant;
and Major David Harvey, Kroc Center Administrator.
Preparation and environmental clean-up of the Kroc Center site is well underway in West Pullman, paving the way for construction of the Kroc Center to begin this summer. Led by the City of Chicago, construction crews are busy at work remediating and cleaning the soil of the abandoned industrial site. The Kroc Center project will transform this unsafe and unclean 32- acre vacant lot for reuse as a state-of-the-art community center and recreational facility for youth, adults and seniors.
The Kroc Center will create more than 300 construction-related jobs. Designed by Chicago architects Antunovich and Associates, the construction of the Kroc Center will be overseen by general contractors International Facilities Group and W.E. O’Neil. Precise Construction Group will coordinate training and construction job opportunities for local community residents.
