Judge presses students to succeed
From Submitted Reports Sep 4, 2010
Updated: September 19, 2010 9:13PM
"You are each a unique creation," Judge Raymond Bolden recently told the National Hook-Up of Black Women's Passport and Junior Hook-Up Program. "There will never be anyone just like you." Bolden's encouraged the group of 30 students to finish each level of education and to make good choices in life. Passport to Success meets the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at the Unity CDC -- Center for Working Families at 201 S. Briggs St. in Joliet. The students, ages 7-17, hear from visiting lecturers, attend baseball games, plays, movies and visit museums, colleges and the state capital.Passport to Success prepares youths through leadership, conflict resolution, self-esteem and a host of other developmental skills to achieve success. Bolden also shared his life's journey with the students. One young man was astonished to find out that he lives on the same street where Bolden once lived. The day included lunch, a writing assignment, an art project and a visit to the National Hook-Up of Black Women (NHBW) Silver Cross reading room. Pete Gavin, NHBW associate member and youth program mentor, said, "It is our responsibility as adults to save our kids by participating and volunteering." The free programs are sustained by grants, donations and fundraisers. For more information on NHBW, visit www.nhbwjoliet.com.
