Honoring Our Fathers - Chicago Street Journal - June 15, 2017 Edition

February 2017
Chicago Street Journal June 2017
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Honoring Our Fathers
Mike McCormick, Executive Director
American Coalition for Fathers
and Children. http://www.acfc.org/
HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY
For millions of men Fathers’ Day means gathering with
family, firing up the grill and enjoying what makes Fathers’ Day
special; spending time together and reflecting on life with your
children and family. For millions of kids this special day is set
aside to say “Thanks Dad,” you are appreciated. Your presence,
guidance, good nature, care, nurture, generosity, love and wisdom
have helped shape our lives in positive ways too numerous to
count. From you we learned empathy, perseverance, dedication,
sacrifice in the pursuit of goals and the value of hard work. That’s
the reality of Fathers’ Day for millions of men in America this June 18 th .
For millions of other men however Fathers’ Day has a different meaning. For these millions of
fathers, and their children, Fathers’ Day is not a time of joyful reflection and sharing, but a day
of sorrow. These millions of fathers have either limited, or lost, contact with their children and
been forced to endure life at the hands of a legal system that insists their value to their kids is
most importantly expressed by how much child support they pay.
These fathers live in a world where government has effectively told them your first priority is
to pay up. For the lucky ones, paying up might mean they will get to see their children for a
couple of days each month. For those less fortunate, the obligation to pay up is there, but the
hope for contact, much less significant involvement with their children, has long since been
extinguished.
The sad fact is this: Billions of government dollars are spent each year to insure fathers pay up.
By comparison, virtually nothing is spent to help fathers denied contact with their children retain
a role in their kids’ lives.
Continued on Page 4
June 17, 2017
Volume 23 No. 3
Neighborhood
Opportunity Fund
Announcements
— Page 6
Three Female
FAMU Doctoral
Graduates Break
Barriers in Engineering
- Page 7
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February Chicago Street Journal June 2017
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Dr. Willie Wilson’s successful campaign
on passing of Bill 552 and 2034 this week in Illinois
According to Dr. Willie Wilson, “With the help of hundreds of determined people
just like you, we were able to get our state legislators to listen to our concerns. Senate
Bill 552 transformed into Senate Bill 2034, which passed both chambers of the Illinois
government and was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner last week. This
bill will prevent nonviolent inmates from sitting in jail for years for misdemeanors
just because they cannot afford the low bails that were set for them.
This is a big deal not only for those who were and are experiencing this economic
prejudice but for the taxpayers of Illinois who were spending millions to keep these
people in our jails. This change will benefit Americans of all races – blacks, whites,
latinos, asians, everyone. This is the first step of many to bettering our criminal justice
system and ultimately, bettering our society as a whole. After talking with the
families of incarcerated individuals and hearing their pain-soaked stories of economic
struggle back in September of last year, I knew I needed to do all I could to help
them.
It was from these conversations that I came up with the idea for the Good Samaritan
Bailout Project - an effort to pay the bond of nonviolent, misdemeanor offense individuals
who simply did not have the means to pay their low bail. These inmates, who
often couldn't even afford bail as low as $200, were unfairly spending years behind
bars before being proven as guilty.
With the help of hundreds of determined people just like you, we were able to get our
state legislators to listen to our concerns. Senate Bill 552 transformed into Senate Bill
2034, which passed both chambers of the Illinois government and was signed into
law by Governor Bruce Rauner last week. This bill will prevent nonviolent inmates
from sitting in jail for years for misdemeanors just because they cannot afford the low
bails that were set for them.”
Publisher and Editor: Ron Carter
Associate Publisher: Sonja Cassandra Perdue
Chicago Street Journal
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February 2017
4 June 2017
Chicago Street Journal
Continued from Page 1
HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY
Recent changes to Illinois’ Child Support guidelines
reinforce this priority of fathers as first and
foremost a wallet. The new guidelines attempt to
recognize children need, and want, a greater relationship
with their father’s, how they go about
expressing that recognition is somewhat suspect.
According to the new guideline a father will pay
full child support until the child spends more than
145 overnights per year with Dad. At 146 overnights
with Dad, the state will give Dad a significant
break on child support. The formula begs the
question of why 24 hours makes a child so much
less expensive to raise.
Throughout the child support industry this is
known as the “cliff effect.” Effectively it means
Dad, or sometimes Mom, but in all cases the “non
-custodial” parent will have difficulty ever getting
equal time with the kids because of the effect of
money transfers from the paying parenting to the
receiving parent. In the world of family law and
child support agencies the idea of equality, on
multiple levels, is non-existent.
What drives this train however, is not necessarily
the child’s best interest but the fact that states receive
significant money from the federal government
to operate child support programs. This
money is not awarded to the state for keeping both
parents engaged, it flows when one parent is effectively
removed from the parenting equation.
The inconvenient truth for divorced and never
married parents is that government has monetized,
politicized and criminalized the relationship between
children and one of their parents, most often,
their father.
There are currently two systems in our society for
parents who cannot afford to support their children.
For custodial parents, primarily mothers,
the government offers medical insurance assistance,
housing assistance, cash assistance, food
assistance, child care and education assistance.
For non-custodial parents, primarily fathers, who
cannot afford to support their children by paying
child support, the government offers driver’s license
revocation, wage garnishment, tax refund
intercepts, interest on unpaid support balances,
arrest and incarceration in debtors’ prison.
Sadly, it is our children, and by extension society,
who pay the price for these misguided policies.
Social science research is overwhelmingly clear
on this point. Children who have shared parenting,
meaning both parents are engaged in their
kids’ lives to the maximum extent possible, have
better outcomes than children who are raised primarily
in single parent headed households.
This is not to say there are not children who turn
out superbly well being raised by single parents.
However, the data cannot be denied. Children
who retain a significant relationship with BOTH
parents, even when those parents are no longer
together as a couple, do better academically, have
higher employment rates, are less likely to use
drugs, are less likely to commit suicide, are better
at maintaining long term relationships, for girls –
are less likely to become pregnant as teens –, and
overall live longer lives.
As we celebrate Dad this Fathers’ Day, let’s do
something meaningful for the over 23 million kids
in America who have no, or limited, contact with
their fathers, let’s welcome Dad back into family
life as an equal participant. Our kids need and
deserve nothing less than a full relationship with
him.
Michael McCormick joined the ACFC board in 1998. His professional
background developed in the financial services industry,
working with nonprofit organizations in the area of corporate
and member development, as well as community relationship
building. McCormick acted as the primary spokesman for
ACFC during the Elian Gonzalez situation. He has been interviewed
extensively by the media regarding shared parenting.
McCormick authored shared parenting bills and initiatives
have been introduced in several states. He provides legislative
testimony and has presented at multiple public policy and professional
association gatherings. His commentary has been
carried in numerous national publications.

February Chicago Street Journal June 2017
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February 2017
6 June 2017
Chicago Street Journal
MAYOR EMANUEL ANNOUNCES FIRST
NEIGHBORHOOD OPPORTUNITY FUND IN-
VESTMENTS TO GROW AND STRENGTHEN
BUSINESSES ON SOUTH AND WEST SIDES
Funding for 32 Neighborhood Businesses Generated
by Large Downtown Developments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE City of Chicago June 8, 2017. Mayor
Rahm Emanuel today announced a Chatham vegan restaurant, a North
Lawndale plant nursery and a West Humboldt Park art gallery are among 32
initial businesses to receive investments from the Neighborhood Opportunity
Fund. Launched earlier this year, the initiative generates funding from
downtown development projects to support commercial growth on Chicago’s
south and west sides.
“These investments are going to directly support neighborhood entrepreneurs
on Chicago’s south, southwest and west sides,” Mayor Emanuel said.
“But they will also expand quality food options, create neighborhood meeting
places, support tech business growth, and generate new retail options. By
linking growth downtown directly to growth in our neighborhoods we can
ensure the entire city of Chicago thrives for generations to come.”
The initial recipients were selected from more than 700 applications to the
program, created by Mayor Emanuel through reforms to the City’s Zoning
Code in the spring of 2016. Approval criteria involve a proposal’s ability to
have a measureable, catalytic impact on a community or commercial corridor,
based on the availability of similar goods or services and project feasibility,
among other factors.
Funding for the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is generated from voluntary
payments made by downtown development projects .The payments are
in exchange for density bonuses that allow developers to exceed zoning limits
for a specific development site. Eighty percent of the payments are applied
to the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund for distribution to eligible projects
within the West and South sides. The remainder is split in support of
infrastructure improvements downtown and improvements to landmark
buildings across the city.
Approximately $3.2 million will be distributed to the first round of recipients,
to support projects including:
Build-out of Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream at 56 E. 47th St.
in Bronzeville
Expansion of Garifuna Flava Caribbean restaurant at 2516 W. 63rd St. in
Chicago Lawn
Purchase and rehab of Original Soul Vegetarian restaurant at 203 E. 75th
St. in Chatham
Renovation the family-owned grocery store Carniceria La Hacienda at
5159 S. Kedzie Ave., in Gage Park
Purchase, rehab and expansion of Ambassador Floral at 11045 S. Halsted
St. in Roseland
Renovation of theater space at the West Austin Development Center at
4920 W. Madison St. in Austin
Establishment of a second location for Brown Sugar Bakery at 4800 W.
Chicago Ave.
Purchase and build-out of a second location for Ivory Dental at 8344 S.
Halsted St.
Establishment of a new office for media-tech marketing company Digital
Factory Technologies at 7400 S. Stony Island Ave.
Eligible costs for Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants include property
acquisition and rehabilitation, small business training, and local hiring subsidies.
Up to 65 percent of total project costs are eligible for funding through
the program. Grants that exceed $250,000 require City Council approval.
Project eligibility is limited to low-to-moderate income areas. The program
is administered by the Department of Planning and Development.
“The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund generates critical support for retail
and commercial projects in neighborhoods that need them,” Planning Commissioner
David Reifman said. “That means more jobs, goods and services
that create a foundation for more public and private investment and stability.”
A complete list of projects and more information is available at
www.neighborhoodopportunityfund.com.
www.UrbanArtRetreat.com

February Chicago Street Journal June 2017
“I had an abstract and paper accepted for presentation at
a conference in Cape Town, South Africa, and I went to
different departments looking for support for travel
there. It was such a huge opportunity. I told Dr. Robinson
what I needed, and without batting an eye he said
‘yes, ‘ and it was done,” she said. “Through that opportunity,
I was able to receive a Fulbright fellowship, and
it was life-changing. I spent seven to eight months in
Nigeria conducting research and teaching collegiate
level students.”
7
Anderson, who completed two engineering fellowships
in California, including the Nuclear Science and Security
Consortium Summer Fellowship at the University of
California, explained how her experience at FAMU empowered
her to embrace her culture and who she is as a
scholar.
Three Female FAMU Doctoral Graduates
Break Barriers in Engineering
“The most important thing that FAMU has taught me is
confidence in myself. My education process from middle
school all the way up to my bachelor’s was at predominantly
White institutions where I felt like the odd
one out in honors classes, gifted classes and Advanced
Placement classes,” she said. “At FAMU, I felt like ‘I
am actually supposed to be here, ‘ and everyone is on
equal footing, not just skin color wise but also education
wise.”
(Black PR Wire) (FAMU NEWS) According to the
National Science Foundation (NSF), minority women
comprise fewer than 1 in 10 scientists and engineers in
the United States. Studies from researchers around the
world reveal that one antidote to this disparity is to ensure
there are more role models in underrepresented
communities.
Three Florida A&M University (FAMU) female doctoral
students, who are also best friends, recently received
their doctorates in engineering. They endured
setbacks, including the loss of a classmate and overcame
financial hurdles to ensure that they join the next generation
of engineering leaders who will help close that gap.
On April 29, Miami native and Fulbright Scholar
Renee Gordon received her doctorate of philosophy in
mechanical engineering; Miami Beach native and Winifred
Burks-Houck Professional Leadership awardee
Shannon Anderson received her doctorate of philosophy
in civil engineering, with a concentration in environmental
engineering; and Birmingham, Alabama native
and NSF International Research Experiences grantee
Marcella Carnes received her doctorate of philosophy in
civil engineering with a concentration in structures.
Each earned their doctorate degrees under the guidance
of FAMU’s School of Graduate Studies and Research
and through support as participants in the FAMU-FSU
College of Engineering Title III Funding Program. They
are considering next steps including job offers and research
opportunities. In the meantime, Gordon and
Anderson will spend the summer teaching and helping
to recruit the next generation of engineering students,
while Carnes prepares for her wedding.
“We realize that we’re breaking barriers when it comes
to minorities and also women in STEM fields,” Gordon
said. “I feel like it’s really important for our young
Black and Brown boys and girls to know that they can
aspire to be whatever they want to be including engineers.”
Carnes added, “I feel proud to be an African-American
woman in the STEM fields. There’s not that many of us
(women). We’ve been challenged because STEM is
male dominated, (but) we are examples of the things that
you can set your mind toward and finish. We are no
longer ‘Hidden Figures.’ We have definitely been revealed.”
In addition to inspiring the next generation to break barriers,
the trio wants to encourage them to pursue careers
that will improve our way of life. They say the best
place to develop a career that makes a difference is at
FAMU.
“Not only did we receive the financial support, but we
also received emotional support; we received the bond
that we share in this community and a family that’s
striving to achieve the same goal. We have a shoulder to
lean on when we feel like we can’t move on,” said
Carnes, who also enjoyed unique opportunities when she
studied abroad in Poland as a part of a program that allowed
her to study civil engineering at campuses in four
countries.
Gordon expressed the important role that mentors like
her major professor Peter Kalu, Ph.D., and the engineering
school’s Title III Director Reginald Perry, Ph.D.,
played in her successful matriculation.
“FAMU’s programs have been a tremendous help in
assisting us both academically and professionally. The
faculty and staff have been amazing,” she said.
Gordon also recalled a time when FAMU’s Interim
President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., personally stepped in
to help her complete an important component of her
research experience.
The women agree that confidence helped the trio work
through system crashes, equipment failure, multiple trials
and errors, and even with overcoming tragedy, as
they all worked toward the finish line of their education.
In 2014, they suddenly lost colleague Tarra M. Beach,
an environmental engineering doctoral candidate. She
passed away before she received her doctorate. Her goal
was to “contribute to the sustainability of the environment
and work on STEM education with underrepresented
children.”
“She would have been the first woman to graduate with
her engineering Ph.D., from the Title III program at
FAMU. So, we were next in line to just follow her example,
her dedication, her passion and drive,” Anderson
said.
Beach’s legacy helped motivate the young women to
complete their goals.
“Losing Tarra was very hard. She was driven toward
education. She was so close to finishing and to know
someone worked that hard and not necessarily reaped
that benefit was emotionally draining for us,” Carnes
said. “But it also let us know we are blessed to be here
and that we can move on. Her legacy is that she believed
in education and through us, and all women, she is here.
Through our eyes, she has her Ph.D., because she was
such a scholar.”
Gordon explained the loss of Beach and earning a degree
in a field where women and ethnic minorities are underrepresented
taught her and her friends the lesson of a
lifetime: nothing is impossible when you persevere.
“It was tough, but we had each other. We stayed connected.
Just keep on going. Be determined. Be persistent,”
Gordon said.
A video about this inspirational story is available on
YouTube.com.
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