CPS Offering Winter 'Safe Haven' Program
CHICAGO (CBS) -- In an effort to keep kids safe during the winter break and help them learn how to avoid and resolve conflicts, the Chicago Public Schools announced Wednesday it is offering a "Safe Haven-Safe Holiday" program to provide students with structured activities during the holiday break.
The eight-day program is designed to provide activities and guidance services – including conflict resolution and anger management – to CPS students in targeted communities in Chicago. The program will be located at 80 sites throughout Chicago.
Winter break for most Chicago Public Schools students begins on Friday, Dec. 17. About a quarter of CPS students who attend "Track E" calendar schools began their break last Friday.
Safe Haven-Safe Holiday will operate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year's Day, but not on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. Similar to last year, a culminating event with all participants will take place on the program's last day, December 30.
Programming will include workshops on conflict resolution, positive communication, character development and anger management and employ practical exercises, group discussions and arts and crafts, a release from CPS said. The program's theme is "Stop the Violence, Stop the Silence."
Programs available through Safe Haven-Safe Holiday also include parental involvement and encourage an atmosphere for families to positively interact with members of the family unit.
Faith leaders and other vendors who operate the Safe Haven-Safe Holiday sites will work with the CPS Interfaith Office and school principals to determine students who could most benefit from the program. Lead vendors chosen through an RFP process are HOPE Organization, New Life Pilsen, and St. Mark International. Catholic Charities will provide as daily meal for each child.
Details of this year's holiday-break program, an extension of the Safe Haven initiative launched last year, were announced at West Point Church 3566 S. Cottage Grove, on Wednesday morning.
Students from kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible to participate, and each site must serve a minimum of 25 students. Additional information on becoming a Safe Haven-Safe Holiday provider or regarding student enrollment is available by calling the District's Interfaith Department at (773) 553-1528 . Information can also be provided by calling 311.
Classes resume for CPS students on Monday, January 3, 2011.
(The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)
