CPS Partners With Churches To Keep Kids Safe This Spring Break
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Public Schools are offering parents a way to keep their children off the street during this week of spring break.
As WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports, the initiative is called the Spring Break Safe Haven program. The schools are partnering with 50 churches across Chicago to offer daily programs for children from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports
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Those programs will focus on an anti-bullying message, with anger management workshops, conflict resolution exercises, group discussions as well as arts and crafts.
CPS also is teaming up with Catholic Charities to provide hot breakfasts and lunches for each child in the program.
"I want all of our students to have a happy and safe spring break," Chicago Public Schools chief executive officer Jean-Claude Brizard said in a news release this past Friday. "I encourage parents with children on break to get them involved with safe activities that will keep them busy and actively engaged."
Brizard also advises parents to ensure their children are safe when at home. Children should be inside after dark, and if they must be outside, they should be careful walking around.
They are also reminded only to cross the streets using crosswalks, and to be aware that drivers can't always see them well – particularly in rainy weather. Children should wear bright or reflective clothing while out after dark, CPS says.
Parents should also learn about spring allergies and water and sun safety, and use insect repellants safely, CPS said.
Classes resume next Monday for the district's 405,000 students.
The participating Safe Haven churches and organizations are:
Participating churches and organizations for the Spring Break Safe Haven include:
• 1st Corinthian Baptist Church, 7500 S. Halsted St.;
• Believe in Thine Heart, 6000 S. Ashland Ave.;
• Bethlehem Star M.B. Church, 9231 S. Cottage Grove Ave.;
• Brickyard Bible, 6334 W. Diversey Ave.;
• Bright Star M.B. Church, 735 E. 44th St.;
• Chicago Embassy Church, 5848 S. Princeton Ave.;
• Christian Centered Ministries, 1533 S. Drake Ave.;
• Christian Fellowship Flock, 10724 S. Ewing Ave.;
• Christian Love M.B. Church, 535 S. Spaulding Ave.;
• Corinthian Temple, 4520 W. Washington Blvd.;
• Deliverance Christian, 7737 S. Kedzie Ave.;
• El Buen Pastor, 2159 W. Cullerton St.;
• Gifts from God Ministry, 1818 W. 74th St.;
• Gospel Truth Life Changing, 4118 W. Division St.;
• Grace and Peace, 2100 N. Kildare Ave.;
• Greater Morning View, 2335 W. 100th St.;
• Greater St. John M.B. Church, 1256 N. Waller Ave.;
• Heirs of the Promise, 4821 W. Chicago Ave.;
• Iglesia Cristiana Manantial, 4300 S. California Ave.;
• Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel, 5018 W. Armitage Ave.;
• Launch out into the Deep, 2223 S. Millard Ave.;
• Liberations Christian Center, 6801 S. Ashland Ave.;
• Marantha, 3542 W. 59th St.;
• Mission Cristiana Familiar, 1905 W. Schiller St.;
• Mt. Hermon, 7848 S. Normal Ave.;
• New Canaanland M.B. Church, 5957 S. Peoria St.;
• New Eclipse, 715 W. 51st St.;
• New Landmark M.B. Church, 2700 W. Wilcox St.;
• New Life C.C.H.P., 1410 N. Springfield Ave.;
• New Life Covenant, 2401 W. North Ave.;
• New Life Pilsen, 2512 S. Oakley Ave.;
• New Memorial M.B. Church, 6844 S. Indiana Ave.;
• Original Mt. Pleasant, 6614 S. Blackstone Ave.;
• People Church of the Harvest, 3570 W. Fifth Ave.;
• Praise Tabernacle, 9511 S. Commercial Ave.;
• Promise Center, 13560 S. Indiana Ave.;
• Purpose over Pain, 58 E. 48th St.;
• Rebano, 2425 W. Division St.;
• Rising Sun Baptist Church, 820 N. Central Ave.;
• St. James Industrial, 8539 S. Racine Ave.;
• St. Rest M.B. Church, 5920 W. North Ave.;
• St. Titus One M.B. Church, 12257 S. Emerald Ave.;
• Storehouse, 2500 N. Talman Ave.;
• Truth and Deliverance, 5151 W. Madison St.;
• Truth & Life, 4146 W. Chicago Ave.;
• Urban Vineyard, 2145 N. Maplewood Ave.;
• The Way of Truth Baptist, 6458 S. California Ave.;
• WestPoint M.B. Church, 3566 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
