Hi everyone.

Earlier this year, I began to volunteer with an organization on the southside of Chicago called Kids off the Block as part of my service learning hours with my university. I took the assignment because it was close to home. I figured that I would do my ten weeks and it would be over. I wasn't particularly thrilled with the assignment: I was not that fond of teenagers, I have social anxiety issues and the neighborhood is not the safest. I figured the organization was started as a result of a teen being killed or some other tragedy but instead it was started because Diane Latiker, Ms. Diane as she is affectionately known, just wanted to give the kids hanging out in front of her home something positive to do.

Once she told me this, I knew I would always be a part of KOB. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Ms. Diane has taken a proactive and not reactive approach. It has also been very frustrating because she does not have the resources she needs to help more kids and no one seems to care that she is out doing positive things. I find it infuriating that the press only comes running when another teen is murdered in the Roseland neighborhood.

On Saturday, we are walking for peace. The murdering of Chicago's youth has to stop. We cannot sit back and wait to see what the government is going to do or what law enforcement is going to do. We have to help these kids. I am asking, no, BEGGING you all to donate any dollar amount to the walk. Ms. Diane would like the funds raised for KOB to go towards the price of a van to help transport kids to the site so she can help them.

Information on the walk can be found here:

http://www.theicaremovement.com/

I have my own link on my Facebook page but I would much rather people donate directly to Ms. Diane's page.

http://www.active.com/donate/icareforpeace5kwalk/KidsOffTheBlock

Much love to Efan, Anx and Mars for the help they've given us.

Thank you.

proud of you!!!

CHIC0 said:

This is a great cause. Thanks for doing it, Ivy.

this is wonderful!

[Edited 10/1/10 12:07pm]

Bump! I just read this.

Ivy, I just want to say a heartfelt thanks to you and others who care enough to actually do something to help bring positive change. This is wonderful.

I had the privilege to actually sit in one of the meetings that they had when I was there, and I threw some ideas out there and it was cool to see, that they dug what I had to say. it's a good and worthy cause ya'll if you've ever been to the South Side it's nothin' nice.

babynoz said:

Bump! I just read this.

Ivy, I just want to say a heartfelt thanks to you and others who care enough to actually do something to help bring positive change. This is wonderful.

IAintTheOne said:

I had the privilege to actually sit in one of the meetings that they had when I was there, and I threw some ideas out there and it was cool to see, that they dug what I had to say. it's a good and worthy cause ya'll if you've ever been to the South Side it's nothin' nice.

I appreciate it more than you know that you went with me.

[img:$uid]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/romera69/PeaceWalk.jpg[/img:$uid]

I was able to do the whole thing!!!

Vendetta1 said:

[img:$uid]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/romera69/PeaceWalk.jpg[/img:$uid]

I was able to do the whole thing!!!

Good to see you here, even better to see you in a week!

Mars23 said:

Good to see you here, even better to see you in a week!

I can't wait.

Vendetta1 said:

[img:$uid]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/romera69/PeaceWalk.jpg[/img:$uid]

I was able to do the whole thing!!!

TD3 said:

Vendetta1 said:

[img:$uid]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/romera69/PeaceWalk.jpg[/img:$uid]

I was able to do the whole thing!!!

These old bones is achin'.

Vendetta1 said:

TD3 said:

These old bones is achin'.