Heroes In The Hood

Chicago Teens Honored at 15th "Heroes in the Hood" Ceremony

Edgar Philpot, 19, of Englewood, and six members of the Chicago Police Department's 15th District's Peer Jury Program, Chicago, were selected from more than 125 teens as the first place winners of the 15th "Heroes in the Hood" awards program.

The program, held April 17 at the DuSable Museum of African American History, honors young Chicago adults who volunteer to help support and improve their communities. Both individuals and groups are honored.

"The recent tragedies in our schools make it even more important to recognize the other side all the teens who are making a positive difference in their communities," says John McCarthy, president of GO Airport Express, one of the program's founding sponsors. "These young people are truly an inspiration to all of us."

Edgar Philpot took top individual honors for creating Youth Organization Uniting New Generations (YOUNG), with a mission of keeping teens off the streets and safe in the Englewood community.

(Wynona Redmond and Edgar Philpot)

"There is so much violence today," says Philpot. "We need to have positive outlets to avoid it."

Top honors in the group category went to the 15th District's Peer Jury Team. The team consists of six young people who volunteer to listen to cases of youth who have been arrested for minor crimes in their precinct and determine the appropriate punishment.

(Dorothy Leavell with members of the 15th District's Peer Jury Program)

This effort has reduced the number of repeat offenses in the precinct to 5 percent.

Jimmy Wilson, 17, a student at Curie Metro High School, won the special determination award.

(Jimmy Wilson and Wynona Redmond)

He dedicates his time to the CARC Center for Disabled Adults, the WTTW pledge drive and the City Heroes program through City Year, a full-time youth service corporation.

Ten students at William J. Bogan High School received a special achievement award for their volunteer work with Children's Memorial Hospital and their implementation of a Teens Against Drunk Driving campaign at their school.

Also recognized at the ceremony were three Honored Role Models, inspirations for the success they've achieved through hard work, determination and believe in their dreams.

(Terry Thomas, Bob Love, John McCarthy and John Brooks)

They included former Chicago Bulls forward Bob Love; First Deputy Fire Commissioner John Brooks and PepsiCo Vice President Terry Thomas. The top winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Springfield, Ill., compliments of GO Airport Express.

2008 Judges
Karen Pride, Department of Aviation
Alderman Lona Lane
Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr.
Alderman Anthony Beale
Vanessa Brown, Chief of Staff, Alderman Beale
Alderman Toni Preckwinkle
Stephanie Davenport, Chicago Crusader
Raymond Ward, Chicago Crusader
Dawn Jasper, Chicago Crusader

Sponsors
GO Airport Express (www.airportexpress.com)
Chicago Crusader (www.ChgoCrusader.com)
DuSable Museum of African American History (www.DuSableMuseum.org)
WGCI FM/Clear Channel Radio Chicago (www.wgci.com)
Dominick's (www.dominicks.com)

Special thank you to Hodge Schindler Integrated Communications www.hodgeschindler.com.