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COMMUNITY HEROES
BUILDING HOPE
AND PEACE
Wednesday evening kicked off with the
rhythmic West African beat of “Hooked
on Drums,” a LISC-supported activity
from Kennicott Park in the Quad
Communities, that drew attendees from
their workshops to the main hall … and
a celebration of Community Heroes.
“Hooked” gets kids going on Djembestyle
traditional music, allowing them to
explore African heritage while
sharpening their minds on a complex
musical idiom.
Earnest Gates, executive director of
the Near West Side Community
Development Corp., talked about the
qualities that led to the heroes being
selected by NCP lead agencies and
partners:
“ These people were just trying to
be a good mom, a good coach, a
good influence, a good principal,
even a good (non-profit) CEO.
Just plain old good citizens, and
somewhere along the line, they
became our community heroes.
These 28 individuals and groups
are getting it done in their
communities every day. They toil
in their communities, their
churches, their schools for low or
no pay. These are the people who
don’t say no when duty calls …
They just keep on doing right
because it’s the right thing to
do … For all you do, this night’s
for you.”
EARNEST GATES
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