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Alderman Leslie Hairston Awards a $4,000 Grant to C.H.A.M.P.S. Male Mentoring for Youth Development
CHICAGO, IL – The Noble Network of Charter Schools is proud to announce that its C.H.A.M.P.S. mentoring program for young men of color was awarded a grant by Alderman Leslie Hairston of Chicago's 5th Ward. Ald. Hairston awarded five different community organizations with $4,000 each to use towards their youth development programs. Vondale Singleton, director of student recruitment and engagement at Gary Comer College Prep, a Noble campus in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, accepted the grant on C.H.A.M.P.S.' behalf.
C.H.A.M.P.S. Founder Vondale Singleton poses with mentors and alumni at Ald. Hairston's office.
“We plan on putting this donation towards our C.H.A.M.P.S. conference, which will be held on June 1st, 2019. This donation will help cover some of the food cost, honorariums, and our shirts that we provide for free for all of our attendees,” Singleton explained. “One of the things that we’ve always done with all of our events is that we’ve never charged a penny, a dime. Although some organizations choose to, I don’t think we’ve been at that place where we will charge the people that we want to help the most.”
Established by Singleton in partnership with Noble and the Gary Comer Youth Center, C.H.A.M.P.S. (or "Culturally Helping and Making Positive Success") is an award-winning program which hosts multiple events throughout the year. By providing mentorship, community, and support, C.H.A.M.P.S. aims to fulfill its mission of bringing the 3 "E's" - education, empowerment, and exposure - to young men of color across Chicago.
After receiving a $20,000 contribution from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Hairston was able to give the money to the community organizations in the 5th ward. “The windfall gave me an opportunity to help some deserving organizations continue the good work they’re doing in the 5th Ward. This is my way of paying it forward,” said Hairston, who represents parts of Hyde Park, South Shore, Greater Grand Crossing, and Woodlawn.
 Ald. Leslie Hairston posing with the organizations that each received her donation of $4,000.
Other organizations that received a donation from Ald. Hairston include ABJ Community Services, Lawrence Hall, South Shore Drill Team, and Hyde Park Art Center. All of these organizations were awarded due to their commitment and dedication to working and empowering young people.
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