| PRESS RELEASE
|
Please see below a statement from Andrea L. Zopp, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League,regarding the Chicago Teachers Union strike.
CHICAGO (September 10, 2012)–“As the Chicago Teachers Union strikes in the midst of contractnegotiations, the Chicago Urban League’s greatest concern is the children and families impacted by thestrike.
We encourage all Chicagoans to play an active role in ensuring the safety and well-being of ourschoolchildren during this interruption in their education. Families whose students are impacted by theteachers’ strike and who are unable to provide alternative plans for their children are encouraged tocontact Chicago Public Schools to get information about their ‘Children First’ contingency plan thatincludes the operation of 144 sites that provide a safe haven for children.
Despite the challenges a teachers strike causes, the Chicago Urban League is fully committed to stayingconnected to the hundreds of children we serve through our programs that reach students in grades 6through 12. We will continue operating our programs that serve CPS students including our UrbanYouth Connection program. Operated out of our Englewood location, Urban Youth Connection providesmentoring and life skills coaching to high risk young men enrolled in CPS high schools. We will alsocontinue operating, without interruption, the National Urban League Incentives to Excel and Succeed(N.U.L.I.T.E.S.) program for 6-8th graders, and our Project Ready and urbanSCHOLARS programs thatreach high school juniors and seniors.
We will continue providing these programs that reach students from around the city, and will expandour programing in anticipation of additional students who are impacted by the strike. This interruptionin the education of our children will not deter the Chicago Urban League from our efforts to providequality programming to develop young leaders and prepare high school juniors and seniors for college. Itis our hope that this strike is short-lived and that all sides can resolve the issues that divide them andhave resulted in a halt in the education of our next generation.”
About the Chicago Urban League
Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League works for economic, educational and social progress for African Americansand promotes strong sustainable communities through progressive advocacy, collaboration and innovation. For more information, visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org.
