Englewood Community Gathers on a Sunny Afternoon to Give Peace a Chance

It was a perfect day for a Peace Fair on Sept. 9th. The weather was delightful and the vibe was festive as community members gathered on the block in front of Margaret’s Village on Yale Avenue.

The event lived up to its purpose as representatives from agencies advocating an end to gang violence, gun violence and bullying offered short presentations to attendees. Among them were:

• Andrew Holmes, community activist and a true crime stopper, who shared his passion for fighting violent crimes and recovering missing and endangered children
• Officer Rodney Jones of Chicago Police Department Gang Unit, who led a discussion on how to safely interact with police
• Chicago Police Department 7 th District CAPS Unit shared information on preventing crime and developing a neighborhood watch program.

The spirit of the day was joyful.  The Jesse White Tumblers gave a thrilling presentation of their skilled gymnastics – special thanks to Ms. Yvonne Jones for making their appearance possible.

Picnic foods, donated by Teamwork Englewood, were enjoyed by all.  During the fair, children were busy making a peace banner and other designs in chalk on the sidewalk. A DJ was on hand to entertain and encourage attendees of all ages to line-dance in the street!

Thanks to private donors, every child received two new books.  Teens took the opportunity to sign-up for a variety of youth programs offered by After School Matters, Truestar, Totally Positive Productions; YWCA TEchGYRLS, YogaCares and Metro Squash.

This was the first annual Peace Fair hosted by Margaret’s Village. We are enormously thankful to the volunteers, sponsors and agencies who made it possible.

We are especially grateful to the Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities whose grant supported the project and for the those who committed their time to this joyful, peaceful day in Englewood:  Alderman Roderick Sawyer; After School Matters; Truestar, Totally Positive Productions; YWCA TEchGYRLS; YogaCares;  Eat 2 Live, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence; Office of Jacqueline Collins, State Representative; Officer Rodney Jones, Chicago Police Department Gang Unit; Andrew Holmes, Community Activist; Chicago Police Department 7 th District CAPS; Representative of the Mayor’s Office, Bernita Johnson Gabriel; Chauncey Harrison, Teamwork Englewood; Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Garrett and Deacon Obeddie Hawkins of Spirit Redeemed Missionary Baptist Church.