Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) ORGANIZES and ADVOCATES to prevent and end homelessness based on our belief that HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT in a just society.
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This Month
Save the date!
What: CCH College Scholarship Awards Ceremony, hosted by author Alex Kotlowitz.
When: July 31st, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Where: DePaul University College of Law, 25 East Jackson Boulevard
Author Alex Kotlowitz will join the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) when it awards $2,000 college scholarships to six Chicago teenagers who succeeded in school despite facing homelessness.
Four of the winners had to live on their own, without family, while finishing high school.
The free public event is set for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 31. DePaul University College of Law has for a third year offered to host the event, held in the 7th floor student lounge at 25 E. Jackson Blvd.
“Despite very difficult circumstances, these students show personal strength and focus as they pursue an education and meaningful careers,” said Patricia Nix-Hodes, a 1992 DePaul law alumna and associate director of the Law Project at CCH.
The Law Project focuses its casework on helping homeless children and teens access public schools in Chicago and the suburbs. Twelve $2,000 scholarships and four $1,000 renewal grants have been awarded since the Law Project created the scholarship program in 2004.
Until this summer, CCH scholarships were funded solely by private individuals. The Osa Foundation has generously offered a $6,000 grant. CCH became a program affiliate of Illinois Dollars for Scholars, which offered a $4,500 matching grant. Elaine’s Hope has also offered a $10,000 challenge grant for gifts from new donors to the program.
Crystal Montañez is one of the 2008 Chicago Public Schools graduates who won a scholarship.
Crystal became homeless her junior year at Lane Tech High School, 2501 W. Addison St. She now shares an apartment with a roommate, working 20 hours a week at Target to pay rent. While in school Crystal also lived doubled-up with friends – commuting to Lane Tech from as far away as Cicero – or in her car.
“It was hard for me to finish homework late because my car did not have much light,” Crystal said.
Crystal hopes to become an immunologist, working for Doctors Without Borders or the World Health Organization. She will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she plans to major in medical microbiology and immunology.
Another honoree, Jermaine McClung, plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in business or electrical engineering, starting at Parkland Community College in Champaign, Ill. Doubled-up with friends and relatives after his family had to move out of the Robert Taylor Homes, Jermaine traveled 90 minutes each way on the CTA to attend Dunbar High School, 3000 S. King Dr.
Jermaine’s counselor wrote to CCH, “Throughout his high school years, he has led by example, treating teachers and administrators with respect and balancing academic success with a part-time job working for the Chicago Cubs.”
Eventually, Jermaine wants to own a business and help his family find a stable home.
“I want to do something positive,” Jermaine said. “I want to become a black leader.”
Sheana Frazier became homeless when her grandmother’s apartment – where she and her mother lived doubled-up – was destroyed in a fire. Sheana had to jump from a second-story window to escape the blaze. Since her grandmother became sick this spring, Sheana has stepped up to care for her.
A single mother of one, Sheana plans to study nursing, starting at Malcolm X College. “She craves knowledge, discussion and personal growth and comes to class prepared every day to find it,” Sheana’s English teacher wrote. “She will succeed in anything she does and anywhere she goes.”
Also winning a scholarship is Jasmine Edwards of Prosser Career Academy, 2148 N. Long Ave. Homeless and on her own since she was 16, Jasmine worked full-time at Wal-Mart to pay her bills.
Jasmine plans to major in broadcast journalism at East-West University, and dreams of being a TV anchorwoman.
“It means a lot to me to do something other than Wal-Mart,” Jasmine said. “I went this far and I’m not going to stop until I achieve what I want to achieve.”
Leroy Kirk became homeless as a junior in high school, when his older sister kicked him out, unable to accept him as a young gay man. Leroy’s father died when he was four, and his mother died when he was 13.
After finding a bed at the Open Door Shelter for homeless youth, 1110 N. Noble St., Leroy finished high school at Jane Addams Alternative School, 1814 S. Union Ave. LeRoy is a member of a weekly youth group co-run by the CCH youth attorney and The Night Ministry.
Leroy will study business at Truman College, with hopes of later transfering to DePaul. Leroy dreams of owning and operating a shopping mall, and hopes to mentor other gay youth interested in business when he becomes successful.
“Although my course of life was set off track, that doesn’t mean everyone else deserves that,” Leroy said.
Chanel Breathett plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in architecture, eventually working toward a PhD.
“I like seeing my art work come to life,” Chanel said.
Before graduating from Dyett High School, 555 E. 51 St., Chanel attended four different high schools in Chicago and Michigan City, Ind. After her mother died, she stayed with relatives and had to move frequently. Once she turned 18, she struggled to complete her final semester, doubled-up with different friends from week to week.
An active member of the Poetry Club and Peer Jury, Chanel credits her late mother with inspiring her to attend college.
“She wasn’t the best mother,” Chanel said, “But when she was around she would tell me, ‘You can do it! You could go to Howard, or to Spelman.’”
Chanel has chosen to attend Tuskegee University in Alabama.
CCH will bestow $100 honorable mention awards to two other promising students who secured scholarships from their chosen schools: Bridget Starling (Benedict College, South Carolina) and Lisa Ivy (University of Illinois-Champaign) Also, $1,000 renewal grants will be given to a group of previous winners who are finishing their degrees, including Shunika Brown (U. of I.), Brandon Dunlap (Kendall College), Pierre Lewis (Northern Illinois University), and Lorenzo Rowell (Chicago State University).
To learn more about Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Scholarship winners, visit our Voices of Hope podcast center, where you can isten to interviews with Bryan Riddle, Kianca Fincher, and Kieara Keys, all of whom were 2007 scholarship recipients.
Questions? Contact Anne Bowhay or Mimi Chubb
(312) 435-4548, ext. 217
Questions about CCH's website? Contact John Maki.
